Over 300 People Allegedly Busted With Drugs At Splendour But Police Are Mostly Happy

NSW Police have reported that their high-profile drug-dog program at this year's Splendour In The Grass festival netted 323 people in possession of illicit substances including cannabis, ice, MDMA and cocaine.

However, with total attendees at this year's event estimated at more than 33,500, including about 17,500 campers, police said in a statement that they're "pleased" with the overall punter class of 2016, over whom they kept a watchful eye from Wednesday through yesterday in a five-day operation involving police from Tweed/Byron Local Area Command with assistance from Northern Region General Duties officers, the Dog Unit, Public Order & Riot Squad, Operations Support Group and Traffic and Highway Patrol Command.

"Once again police worked closely with Splendour organisers to ensure a safe and enjoyable festival, so it was positive to see that the majority of attendees heeded police warnings and behaved themselves," the Tweed/Byron Local Area Commander, Detective Superintendent Wayne Starling, said.

"Our officers were even approached by music fans who thanked them for being there to keep everyone safe — it was tremendous to see such great support from the event community.

"Unfortunately, there were some who ignored our advice and attempted to bring prohibited drugs into the festival; however, they were quickly intercepted by our drug-detection dogs."

In addition to the 323 individuals detected with drugs — which resulted in 80 cannabis cautions and more than 200 field court attendance notices being issued — police report that five people were charged with drug supply, including a 20-year-old male who was caught by security for not having a ticket but found by police to be allegedly in possession of MDMA and a restricted prescribed substance. He was consequently arrested and charged with possess prohibited drug and supply prohibited drug, and is due to face Byron Bay Local Court on Monday 15 August.

"We cannot reiterate enough how dangerous these substances can be; they are not only illegal but they can incredibly harmful to your health and, tragically at times, fatal," Det Supt Starling said.

"I can assure members of the public that moving forward we will continue to target those who attempt to supply prohibited to other individuals — their behaviour simply will not be tolerated."

Further, more than 50 criminal infringement notices for trespassing offences were issued to alleged gate-jumpers, while a licensing operation in effect turned up 16 breaches that will be investigated further, pending possible legal action.

"In many cases, charges were laid against those who chose to do the wrong thing and they will now be brought before the courts to address those offences," Det Supt Starling concluded his statement.

"We were not there to spoil the fun, but those who choose to break the law or threaten the safety of other festival goers will be stopped in their tracks and dealt with accordingly."