Police have arrested 32 partygoers who were allegedly found with naughty substances during a drug dog operation at a dance party in Melbourne’s Docklands on Thursday night.
Victoria Police say their hounds sniffed out a variety of illegal drugs including ecstasy, ketamine, weed, cocaine and LSD during the 18+ ‘Smalltown’ event at underground party space B3, which featured performances from DJ Koze, Charlotte de Witte and Gerd Janson.
Of the 32 punters arrested, 26 were referred to a drug diversion program, four were hit with criminal charges and two were formally cautioned.
Everyone who wasn’t allegedly caught with drugs either went home or partied until 5am, police have confirmed.
Prior to the party, event organisers Novel (who are also behind festivals like Pitch Music & Arts Festival, Let Them Eat Cake and Days Like This) warned ticket-holders that representatives from St Johns, Victoria Police, Ambulance Victoria and DanceWize would be in attendance.
“We would like to inform patrons that possession and use of illicit substances will NOT be tolerated at this venue and we are supportive of Victoria Police to operate outside B3,” they said.
It comes after NSW Police issued a warning to music fans heading to Listen Out festival in Sydney this weekend, following 30 drug-related arrests at the Melbourne leg of the festival last weekend.
