Two dead and 70 charged at Sydney music festivals

UPDATE: Monday, October 2, 1pm

NSW Police say that neither of the deaths occured at the Knockout Music event and a post mortem will be conducted to determine the cause of death.

NSW Health confirmed the two men died after leaving the Knockout Outdoor festival at the Sydney Showground in Olympic Park on Saturday.

Officers attached to Auburn Police Area Command responded to Sydney Olympic Boulevarde, Sydney Olympic Park, just before 1am on Sunday, 1 October where NSW Ambulance paramedics were treating a man.

The 26-year-old was taken to Concord Hospital, where he died.

Detectives have commenced an investigation and will prepare a report for the information of the Coroner.

Police say they were called to St Vincent’s Hospital  at around the same time following the death of a man.

The 21-year-old man was reportedly treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics at a hotel on George Street, Sydney, before being transferred to hospital where he died.

Detectives from Sydney City Police Area Command have commenced an investigation and will prepare a report for the information of the Coroner.

After two deaths – both people confirmed to have been at the Knockout festival – NSW police say that there were more than 70 people charged with drug offences at two Sydney music events held on Saturday.

At Listen Out music festival held at Centennial Park, officers from Eastern Beaches Police Area Command – assisted by licencing police, the Dog Unit, and other specialist commands – conducted a high-visibility operation.

Approximately 27,500 people attended the event, with 85 people detected in possession of prohibited drugs. Of those, 37 field court attendance notices were issued, 29 criminal infringement notices (CIN), and 19 cannabis cautions.

Additionally, eight people – five men and three women – were charged with supply prohibited drug, while two people were arrested for assaulting police, one for wilful and obscene exposure and another for breach of bail. They were dealt with accordingly.

Officers attached to the Police Transport Command’s Proactive Crime Team spoke with two men – aged 19 and 23 – outside the event at Centennial Park about 1pm. During a search, officers seized 63 capsules – suspected of being MDMA – as well as cocaine.

The men were arrested and taken to Waverley Police Station where they were charged with supply a prohibited drug – indictable quantity; the younger man has also been charged with possess a prohibited drug. They have been refused bail to appear in Parramatta Bail Court today.

At Knockout Outdoor music festival held at Sydney Olympic Park, officers from South West Metropolitan Region – assisted by the Dog Unit, Traffic and Highway Patrol, and other specialist commands – conducted a high-visibility operation.

Approximately 53,000 people attended the event, with 27 people charged with possess prohibited drug, while four people – two men and two women – were charged with supply prohibited drug.

Officers attached to Bankstown Region Enforcement Squad (RES) stopped a 21-year-old man about 4.30pm, following a positive drug dog detection. During a search, officers seized 61 ecstasy tablets, 40 MDMA capsules as well as cocaine in his possession.

The man was arrested and taken to Auburn Police Station where he was charged with two counts of supply prohibited drug – indictable quantity, and two counts of possess prohibited drug. He has been refused bail to appear at Parramatta Bail Court.

At about 8pm, officers patrolling the venue saw a man run off in an attempt to avoid police.

Officers stopped and spoke to the 26-year-old following a positive drug dog detection. During a search, officers seized 491 MDMA pills as well as 4g of cocaine and cash in his possession.

The man was arrested and taken to Auburn Police Station where he was charged with supply prohibited drug – indictable quantity, supply prohibited drug, and recklessly deal with proceeds of crime. He has been refused bail to apparat Parramatta Bail Court.