Splendour In The GrassPolice has issued a stern warning to punters heading to Splendour In The Grass this weekend, saying anyone caught with illicit drugs will be booted from the event.
As Gold Coast Bulletin reports, police will be out in numbers at the Byron Bay site for the three-day spectacle.
"There will be a highly visible police presence throughout the whole festival, both within the festival precinct and outside," Detective Inspector Brendon Cullen said.
"Police are warning festival-goers that those who turn up with illicit drugs will be palmed from the venue."
It is expected that SITG 2016 will attract 36,000 people each day.
"We’re not there as killjoys but we also have a role to play in law enforcement – especially anti-social or violent behaviour will not be tolerated," Cullen continued.
"If people come in thinking they’re going to be supplying drugs or having a free run with making it a drug festival, they should be concerned that they are likely to be detected and removed from the festival."
Police have also confirmed anyone caught fence jumping will be prosecuted, while on-the-spot fines will be issued to any festival-goer caught breaking the rules.
"A lot of young people associate music festivals with drug taking and the concern we have is that they don’t know what it is they’re taking," Cullen said.
"While they may think it’s just a harmless pill, the fact remains...people taking pills have been known to have adverse reactions and die."
92 people were arrested on drug offences at Splendour last year, while drug dogs sniffed out 468 grams of illicit substances.
