12 arrests over drugs at Anglesey festival:
A DOZEN people were arrested during a police operation at a music festival on Anglesey.
Around 5,000 festival goers enjoyed Gottwood 2019 at Llanfaethlu from June 6 to 9 with police and trained staff carrying out searches for drugs.
Six people were arrested on suspicion of supplying drugs and another six on suspicion of driving under the influence of drugs, said North Wales Police.
Drug amnesty bins were also placed at the entrance to the event with more than 200 items handed in including cocaine, MDMA and ketamine.
North Wales Police has hailed the operation a huge success. Inspector Llinos Davies, Anglesey District Inspector, said: “I’m pleased with the policing and security operation for the event that ensured the safety of those attending this year’s Gottwood Festival.
“Our policing approach was focused on minimising the risk of harm to those that attended the event, and to the local community through targeting the flow of drugs into the festival and ensuring the safety of local road users.
“The event passed without significant intervention from police with a total of 12 arrests, including six on suspicion of supplying drugs and six on suspicion of driving under the influence of drugs. “Fixed penalty notices were also issued for other minor road traffic offences.”
Officers worked closely with event organisers to ensure that it ran safely and smoothly.
A total of 227 amnestied drugs were tested by healthcare volunteers with the support of police, with deposits of Crystal MDMA, ketamine and cocaine found in the bins, as well as placebo tablets that contained nothing more than cotton flax and food colouring.
Inspector Davies added: “I would like to pass on my gratitude to all my colleagues who policed the event – including British Transport Police, our partners – and the local community for their patience and understanding over the weekend.”
A number of suspected drug-drivers were also arrested ahead of the launch of the festival.
A Police Road Safety Unit stationed at the event pulled over two drivers in separate vehicles, several hours before the event was due to start.
Both drivers tested positive at the roadside for cannabis and were taken into custody and were later released pending the results of blood tests.