Three people have been charged following unauthorised gatherings held at national parks in Sydney’s Eastern Beaches overnight.
Just after midnight (Sunday 16 May 2021), police were alerted to an unauthorised gathering being held within bushland at Malabar Head National Park.
Officers from Eastern Beaches Police Area Command, Central Metropolitan Region Operational Support Group (OSG) and PolAir attended.
While dispersing the crowd, officers spoke to a 27-year-old man and during a subsequent search allegedly located cocaine, LSD tabs and cannabis in his possession.
He was arrested and taken to Maroubra Police Station, where he was charged with three counts of possess prohibited drug.
The Bellevue Hill man was granted conditional bail to appear at Waverley local Court on Wednesday 9 June 2021.
Just before 1am, police received information of a separate event at Henry Head within the Kamay Botany Bay National Park.
Patrols were conducted and police encountered two men on Henry Head Lane, La Perouse about 2am.
After speaking to the pair, they were issued move-on directions to leave the area; however, both failed to comply with the direction.
The men, aged 38 and 26 were arrested and taken to Maroubra Police Station.
They were both charged with continue intoxicated behaviour after move-on direction. The younger man was also charged with resist or hinder police officer in the execution of duty.
Both men were granted conditional bail to appear at Waverley local Court on Wednesday 9 June 2021.
Police continued patrols and attended Henry Head where a large number of attendees fled. The organiser was unable to be identified with sound and lighting equipment seized.
Eastern Beaches Police Area Commander, Acting Superintendent Samantha Fordy, said unauthorised gatherings of this type will not be tolerated and pose a serious safety risk to attendees and responding police.
“The local community and environment are also being impacted by the noise and the rubbish left behind, A/Supt Fordy said.
“Police will work closely with officers from Randwick City Council and the National Parks and Wildlife Services to target these events and prosecute offenders accordingly.”
Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report information via NSW Police social media pages.
