A LAW firm will set up a booth at the Strawberry Fields music festival with police expected to catch dozens of drug users and drivers.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The annual festival will again feature a heavy police presence over several days.
Officers caught more than 200 people last year and seized LSD, magic mushrooms, cannabis, speed, ketamine, ecstasy and prescription pills.
Victorian officers nabbed a Melbourne man with 100 ecstasy pills and speed, while NSW officers caught a man with nearly 30 MDMA tablets, MDMA rock and mushrooms.
After an approach from organisers, Cobram-based Jones Lawyers and Associates agreed to attend the event to officer legal advice in a bid to stop problems before they occur.
Solicitor Dominique Leong said there would be two lawyers and about four support staff at the festival.
“A lot of what we’re hoping to achieve is to provide preventative legal advice for people so they’re not coming into contact with police and are not having this negative experience,” she said.
“It’s the first time we’ve been approached to do it.
“We’re not really sure what to expect, but the service will definitely be there for people.
“The whole idea is to keep people safe and make sure they have a really enjoyable experience.”
Gates will open at the Tocumwal site at 2pm on Thursday and the highest volume of traffic is expected on Friday afternoon.
A statement on the Strawberry Fields website states all drugs are banned.
“We fully support the efforts of the Victorian and New South Wales police in ensuring the safety of Strawberry Fields patrons and the broader community in relation to travel to and from the event,” it says.
“Don't do something illegal which could both ruin your weekend and jeopardise the future of this festival.
“If you try to bring illicit substances to the festival, you will be searched and face the consequences.”
Acting Sergeant Leigh Jeffs of Cobram police said 100 Victorian officers alone would take part.
They will be joined by NSW members on the other side of the Border.
“We appreciate people having good time but we won’t tolerate any drug-affected driving that is going to place the community at risk of harm,” he said.
Officers from as far as Myrtleford and Melbourne will join the Victorian side of the operation, which will run from Thursday to Tuesday.
