Cement dust and talc sold as ‘drugs’ at music festival
A FESTIVAL drugs amnesty found that cement dust and talcum powder were among the substances actually being sold to unsuspecting revellers.
The police held the amnesty at Gottwood Music Festival, near Holyhead, this weekend as part of a drive to prevent drug-related fatalities which have been seen this year at other festivals in the UK.
They said the discovery of such substances in the surrendered “drugs” showed dealers were only driven by profit.
It comes as the force said the electronic music festival went off largely without incident.
North Wales Police Chief Inspector Mark Armstrong said: “Overall, I am very pleased with the policing and security operation that ensured the safety of all those attending this year’s Gottwood festival.
“Our focus was to ensure everyone stayed safe and enjoying the event and our policing style and approach was planned and carried out with that in mind.
“The drugs Amnesty bins installed on site had deposits of Ketamine and MDMA in particular, but at very low levels.”
He said the discovery of what was actually in some of what was being sold was shocking.
Chief Inspector Armstrong said: “Interestingly but alarm- Llangefni project has created more than a dozen local apprenticeships in various construction trades and strengthened locally-based building supplies companies. These include all the concrete blockwork which has come from Mona Precast in Gaerwen, while the timber joists have been supplied by Huws Gray in Llangefni.
Anwyl Construction Director Tom Anwyl, who heads up the company’s Contracts Division, said: “Hafan Cefni is a major build which is important not just for us but also for the local building industry and the regional economy.
“It demonstrates that, here in Anglesey and Gwynedd, we have the skills and proven track record to deliver projects which are varied and present different challenges. We share a commitment with our clients, Pennaf, and Anglesey Council that these contracts should mean jobs, work and apprenticeship opportunities across the region.”
At Hafan Cefni there are 63 self-contained apartments as well as a restaurant, laundry services, activity rooms, staff offices, a mobility buggy-store and car parking. ingly we also had substances deposited that people had bought believing them to be drugs that were actually things like talcum powder or cement dust.
“The fact unscrupulous dealers would sell someone pure talcum powder or anything else purporting it to be a drug is a clear sign they are driven by profit only and have no regard for ‘users’ safety.
“If ingested it could cause serious harm.
“However, the amount of drugs handed in has been very low level.
“When festival-goers see the presence of a drugs dog, and realise they are going to be searched, then I think they don’t even try.”
The officer added that there was some concern about the circulation of a particularly strong batch of ecstasy pills.
He said: “We did have some concerns on Friday after receiving information about the circulation on site of a particularly dangerous ecstasy tablet known as ‘Punisher Pills’ but, fortunately, that does not appear to have materialised.
“I couldn’t be more pleased with the policing operation and how the festival has gone overall and I’d like to pass on my thanks to all my colleagues who policed the event, our partners and local community for their patience and understanding over the weekend.”