Police Make 10 Drug Arrests At Secret Garden Festival

New South Wales police have confirmed that 10 arrests were made at Secret Garden Festival over the weekend, with the boys in blue launching a drug dog operation targeting punters attempting to bring illicit substances into the event.

Police searched 91 people and 33 vehicles at the boutique festival, which took place in Camden over 28th February and 1st March. The coppers have confirmed various arrests, including alleged possession of MDMA, cannabis and cocaine, as well as issuing numerous cautions.

A 22-year-old Rozelle man was also charged with supplying a prohibited drug and possessing prohibited drugs, after scales were allegedly found alongside cannabis and MDMA during a search of the man’s accommodation area.

Festival programmer Adam Lewis told theMusic.com.au that despite the arrests, most of the 6,400 festival goers were “really well behaved”:

“As far as arrests go, we advised our punters in advance that there would be police there and that we did not condone the use of drugs whatsoever, and we’re glad that the overwhelming majority took our advice and enjoyed the festival in a safe and responsible manner.”

The festival saw performances from DZ Deathrays, The Rubens, Papa Vs Pretty and The Trouble With Templeton, with tickets selling out last year before the first lineup had even been announced. Heavy rain put a bit of a dampener on the proceedings at Downes’ dairy farm but didn’t kill the vibe, according to Lewis, who confirmed that some stages needed to be closed overnight for security reasons:

“Behaviour of the audience was fantastic, people really rallied together and helped each other out in the rain, and the response from punters since the festival has been really positive.”

It’s not the first time the festival has had trouble with the elements, with the 2012 event seeing all bands cancelled due to wet weather.

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