Dozens of people have been charged and almost $400,000 worth of drugs have been seized at an illegal bush rave party in southern Queensland, ABC News reports.
The Queensland Police Service said 53 people were charged after attending a four-day music event called ‘Weedy Wonka’s Winter Solstice’, held between June 22 and 25.
The event was held on a rural block of land at Googa Creek near Blackbutt, about 170 kilometres northwest of Brisbane.
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Police said about $160,000 worth of ketamine, $127,000 worth of MDMA, as well as quantities of cannabis, LSD, cocaine and more than $12,000 in cash were seized at the event.
Rave location:
Image: ABC News
Inspector Scott Stahlhut said concerns had been sparked immediately when police received information about the event:
“We were more concerned at the outset in terms of people leaving the event potentially under the influence of liquor or dangerous drugs,” he said.
“What we know is that the event was advertised through a social media forum with an alternative address. Then as patrons purchased tickets or got in contact, they were provided with an alternative [address], which was where the event was.”
Of the 53 people charged, a 35-year-old Victorian man was charged with 13 offences including the supply of dangerous drugs and possessing dangerous drugs.
A 39-year-old Toowoomba man was also arrested and charged with nine drug-related offences.
A Queensland Ambulance Service spokesperson said no cases were reported from the event.
Header image: Crowd at Rainbow Serpent | © Francesco Vicenzi/Flickr
