Further Drug Offences Detected At Music Festival

Ballarat Divisional Response Unit officers have made further arrests at the Beyond the Valley music festival in Barunah Plains.

Officers spoke to a 22-year-old man from Croydon Hills about 2.20pm on 31 December and he was subsequently searched.

It is alleged police located ketamine and MDMA on the male.

He has been charged with traffick drug of dependence (ketamine) and possess drug of dependence (MDMA) and was bailed to appear at Geelong Magistrate's' Court on 12 March.

A drug diversion was also issued to a 24-year-old man from Ringwood East for possessing a drug of dependence (ketamine)

Police will continue to have a highly visible presence at the Beyond the Valley music festival.

This will include officers patrolling the festival grounds to ensure safety and security of festival goers and deter any criminal activity or anti-social behaviour.

Victoria Police is aware a drug-checking place is operating at this festival.

Under the new legislation, it is not a criminal offence to possess small amounts of illicit drugs if you are attending a drug-checking place as a client. As a result, officers will not be attending these sites unless responding to incidents requiring police attendance.

Police will continue to enforce against drug offences away from the drug-checking place and seize any illicit substances. As always, police may use discretion to not enforce possession offences.

Victoria Police has zero tolerance for drug traffickers and officers will have no hesitation arresting and charging someone for this offence, no matter where it occurs.

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