mmg.com.au

A total of 72 people were charged with drug offences after an operation involving Deniliquin Police at the Strawberry Fields Music Festival in Tocumwal over the weekend.

A total of 21 people were charged with drug supply offences, including one case where two Richmond people were allegedly caught with 68 tablets of the drug known as ecstasy, as well the drugs known as GHB, ketamine and ice.

There were 55 people allegedly found in possession of prohibited drugs, resulting in 41 charges being laid and 14 people being issued cannabis caution notices.

Another 10 people were charged after allegedly being found in possession of equipment to administer prohibited drugs.

One person was charged after allegedly being found in possession of ammunition while another was issued a criminal infringement notice for offensive behaviour.

A drug detection dog was used throughout the event with police seizing a range of prohibited drugs including amphetamines, cannabis, ecstasy, LSD, methylamphetamine and magic mushrooms.

Officers conducted 114 person searches, 78 vehicle searches and 337 random breath tests while also issuing 12 traffic infringement notices.

Deniliquin Local Area Command crime manager Detective Inspector Darren Cloake said it was alarming that more than 66 per cent of vehicles searched by police contained drugs.

‘‘Whilst police see the benefits to the community in holding events of this nature, we ask that patrons show some respect and responsibly to the host community,’’ he said.

‘‘Bringing drugs into our community will not be tolerated.

‘‘Police will again undertake similar operations into the future.’’

All charges are expected to be heard at Finley Local Court on February 1, 2013.