Cheshire Police have uncovered a significant quantity of drugs, including ecstasy, ketamine, and over 200 canisters of nitrous oxide, buried at the Creamfields festival site in Daresbury, England. The discovery was made as part of ongoing 'disruption work' aimed at preventing festival-goers from concealing substances ahead of the four-day music event, which is expected to draw up to 80,000 people.
Specialist search teams spent considerable time combing the grounds in the week leading up to the festival's opening on Thursday. The unearthed items included large bags of ecstasy, MDMA, and ketamine tablets, with some pills marked with novelty phrases. Police stated they anticipate finding further quantities as searches continue.
Superintendent Andy Blizard emphasized the festival's zero-tolerance policy on drugs and warned individuals attempting to hide substances. "Every year we remind those attending Creamfields that there is a zero-tolerance policy regarding drugs and, every year, we counter a number of brazen individuals who think they can outsmart us by concealing drugs from view or burying them at the site months in advance," he said.
Police are also attempting to identify owners of any buried bags. "Anyone who has buried a rucksack or holdall bag at the site and would like it back is asked to get in contact with us – officers have already begun conducting enquiries to identify their owners and look forward to speaking to them soon," the force added.
Creamfields, scheduled to feature over 250 artists including Calvin Harris, Tiësto, Martin Garrix, and Swedish House Mafia, has a history of drug-related incidents. In previous years, attendees have been caught attempting to smuggle drugs using various methods. In 2023, two men received 18-month jail sentences for attempting to smuggle ketamine into the festival using Kinder Eggs. Another woman was also charged with possession with intent to supply after attempting a similar method with MDMA pills.
Additionally, last year an architect was found to be over the drug-drive limit when leaving the festival and collided with a police officer. Bags of cocaine and ketamine were found in his camping gear. He admitted to using cannabis and cocaine at the festival but denied taking ketamine.