Gisborne Police executed a search of several tents at Treble Camp, Rhythm and Vines (R&V) yesterday after receiving information of suspected drug dealing.
R&V security staff identified a tent at the Treble Camp site possibly being used as a location to sell cannabis and other drugs, and reported it to Police.
Acting on the information received, Police executed a search of the identified tent, which then led to the search of 11 other tents. All were connected to a large group from Waiheke Island.
Drugs that were located included; MDMA (E), assorted party pills and capsules, cannabis, hash, meth pipes, an assortment of utensils and several thousand dollars-worth of cash.
In total, 12 tents were searched and 34 R&V patrons were spoken to. As a result, eight people were arrested on various drug charges and two warnings were issued.
Those arrested were all in their 20s and had travelled down from Waiheke Island for the festival.
“This was a great combined effort by all parties involved in the search, with a fantastic result. There is absolutely no place for this type of illegal activity at these events," said Senior Sergeant Ross Smith.
“Police and event organisers work closely to ensure that festival goers are safe and this just goes to show how seriously this offending is taken and that it is not worth the risk.”
ENDS
Issued by Police Media Centre