Splendour In The Grass 2018 / Photo: Rebecca Reid

Teen Allegedly Sexually Assaulted, More Than 100 Charged With Drug Offences At Splendour 2018

Police have delivered their customary post-Splendour In The Grass crime wrap, and they are Not Happy Jan.

A grand total of 115 punters were slapped with Field Court Attendance Notices for 148 drug offences over the course of the weekend’s festivities in Byron Bay, including two supply raps.

One of them, a 25-year-old man, is now sitting in a cell (and likely missed Kendrick Lamar’s headlining set last night) after allegedly getting sprung with 57 MDMA tablets and cash.

He was charged with possessing a prohibited drug, supplying a prohibited drug and dealing with the proceeds of crime, and refused bail ahead of a court appearance today.

A 22-year-old woman was also arrested after police allegedly discovered 12 MDMA (ecstasy) capsules in a jar of home brand Nutella.

There were a few isolated incidents of serious violence to boot, with a 42-year-old man charged with trespassing and assault occasioning actual bodily harm, after allegedly jumping the fence, threatening a security guard with a plank of wood and then kicking him just before 11pm on Saturday.

An 18-year-old man was also arrested and charged after punching a police officer during a drug search, which allegedly turned up both cocaine and amphetamine.

The cops also issued 38 cannabis cautions and five youth cautions, and are also investigating an alleged sexual assault of an 18-year-old woman at about 11pm last night.

In a statement, Tweed/Byron Police District Commander Detective Superintendent Wayne Starling said that while the majority of punters were well-behaved, the crime results were still “disappointing”.

“It’s disappointing we continue to detect the possession and supply of prohibited drugs,” he said.

“Not only is it a serious criminal offence, it is also harmful to your health and you simply do not know what you are taking.

“The safety of music fans attending the festival is and continues to be our number one priority.”

The cops’ weekend Splendour crackdown was a joint effort between officers from across Northern Region, as well as the Dog Unit, Mounted Unit, Operations Support Group, Public Order and Riot Squad and Traffic and Highway Patrol Command.

Read Music Feeds‘ review of Splendour In The Grass day three here, day two here and day one right here.

Gallery: Splendour In The Grass 2018, Day Three / Photos: Rebecca Reid

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