Officers have commended the behaviour of festival attendees at Splendour in the Grass this weekend, as the police operation concludes.
A high-visibility police operation was conducted over the four-day event, targeting illicit drug use and supply, alcohol-fuelled violence and anti-social behaviour.
The operation commenced on Thursday 20 July 2023, finishing on Sunday 23 July 2023, and involved officers from Tweed/Byron Police District, Northern Region general duties officers, the NSW Police Dog Unit and other specialist commands.
NSW Police also worked closely with the organisers of the festival and other stakeholders to ensure the safety and wellbeing of festival attendees.
Overall, those who attended the Splendour in the Grass music festival were well behaved, with the vast majority of people complying with police directions.
During the operation, police detected and seized a number of drugs with assistance from the Dog Unit, including cannabis, MDMA capsules, psilocybin (mushrooms), ecstasy tablets, methylamphetamine and white powder believed to be cocaine.
As a result of these detections, 42 Future Court Attendance Notices were issued, as well as 36 Criminal Infringement Notices and 31 Cannabis Cautions.
Incidents of note include:
- On Saturday 22 July 2023, police received information in relation to illicit drugs allegedly contained within a vehicle. Following inquiries, police attended a camp site nearby, where they executed a search of a vehicle, where they allegedly located MDMA, cannabis, ketamine, and $6500 cash, as well as suspected drug paraphernalia, including scales and resealable bags. A 23-year-old Mooball woman was charged with two counts of supply prohibited drug, possess prohibited drug, possess or use a prohibited weapon without permit, and recklessly deal with proceeds of crime. She was granted conditional bail to appear before Byron Bay Local Court on Monday 14 August 2023.
- Also on Saturday 22 July 2023, a 40-year-old Surfers Paradise man was charged with sexually touch another person without consent. He was granted conditional bail to appear before Byron Bay Local Court on Monday 21 August 2023.
- On Sunday 23 July 2023, a 43-year-old Victorian man was charged with three counts of sexually touch another person without consent. He was granted conditional bail to appear before Byron Bay Local Court on Monday 14 August 2023.
Tweed/Byron Police District Commander, Superintendent David Roptell, praised the good behaviour of the vast majority of festivalgoers.
“While most of the attendees were compliant, it’s disappointing that we continue to detect the possession and supply of prohibited drugs,” Supt Roptell said.
“The safety of music fans attending the festival is and continues to be our number one priority, and we make no apology for coming down hard on drug possession and supply.”
Meanwhile, police are urging people returning home to travel safely on the roads.
“With thousands of festival goers leaving today, allow extra travel time, expect delays and make sure you take regular rest breaks,” Supt Roptell said.
“Our Traffic and Highway Patrol officers will be cracking down on motorists who refuse to obey the road rules.”
