A MAN has been arrested with a “smorgasbord” of drugs while heading to the Strawberry Fields music festival.
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Police set up checks on roads leading to the Tocumwal event and used a drug bus and three sniffer dogs to detect offenders.
About 60 people were caught with drugs including cannabis, ketamine, cocaine, LSD, ecstasy, magic mushrooms and amphetamine.
Acting Sgt Leigh Jeffs said a 28-year-old Melbourne man had been found with hash, ecstasy, ketamine, cannabis and what is believed to be mushrooms.
Some substances will have to be tested to determine what they are.
“It’s not something you would be using for personal use,” he said.
“It’s a trafficable amount.
“Police will be alleging that his intention was to sell the drugs at the event.”
The man’s car was stopped at a roadblock on the Goulburn Valley Highway at Koonoomoo on Saturday.
The drugs were found on his body and the man was remanded in custody to face Shepparton Magistrates Court today.
“The majority of cars are stopped and checked,” Acting Sgt Jeffs said.
“When we establish reasonable grounds, they are searched.
“This is the third or fourth year we’ve run the operation and the message just doesn’t get through.
“It’s a repeat of what’s happened in previous years.
“People are prepared to risk detection; it’s well advertised that we do this.
“They’re prepared to risk it and hope they get through.”
Most cars travelling to the festival on the Victorian side were stopped and 11 drug drivers and three drink drivers were caught from 182 tests yesterday, including a 43-year-old man who blew 0.26.
Officers from across the region were stationed near the music festival and NSW officers conducted similar operations.
Acting Sgt Jeffs said most offenders were from Melbourne or other parts of the country.
Police will continue Operation Strawberry Fields today.