Drug arrests continue at North Sydney pub despite warnings from police and venue owners
DESPITE constant warnings from police and venue owners, lower north shore revellers are playing a dangerous game by attempting to smuggle drugs into weekend dance parties.
Mosman
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THE warnings are clear but drugs are still being found.
Police made a series of arrests at the weekend in an operation targeting partygoers in North Sydney.
Greenwood Hotel welcomed DJs Jackmaster and Patrick Topping on Saturday night for an open-air event.
Both plain-clothed and uniformed officers arrived with the dog squad to search the crowds both in and around the venue.
It’s an operation they have repeated several times around dance events at Greenwood and other venues in the area. And they’ve made no secret of their planned presence.
“It’s nothing new,” said Chief Inspector Mike Birley.
“It’s no secret anymore but people think they can attend and bring drugs.
“It doesn’t seem to change their behaviour.”
About 20 people, males and females, were charged on the night for mostly alleged possession of cannabis and MDMA. They are due to appear at Downing Centre Local Court next month.
Insp Birley is concerned that the message is not getting through to the partygoers. He questions whether it is the younger generation’s attitude, the fact drugs are more readily available or that it is becoming more socially acceptable to take drugs.
He pointed out that it is illegal and police will continue their efforts.
“You have a high probability of being caught and the impact of that is lifelong,” he said.
“There are significant consequences for possession of drugs, not to mention the health risks.
“You don’t know what the drug is, what’s inside it and the adverse affects it could have on you.”
Insp Birley said partygoers hide the drugs “anywhere you can think of”.
He paid tribute to the Greenwood Hotel and others in the area for their efforts to get the message out there that drugs are not accepted in venues.
The concert was the second large open-air dance event of the season organised by Division Agency promoters.
Last month, techno star Green Velvet held a concert at the venue and the promoters warned ticket buyers they would be handed over to police if they brought drugs.
The agency’s website warned that they had a “zero tolerance” for drugs and that there would be a high police presence at the event.
On the night, a huge sign was placed on a gate stating that the Greenwood Hotel had a “zero tolerance to drugs”. It warned that bag searches and sniffer dogs were ahead.
“If found in possession you will be arrested and prosecuted,” the warning said.
Police reported at the time that they held a drug dog operation in and around licensed premises in North Sydney on the night of the concert and 17 people were arrested and charged with possessing a prohibited drug.
The Mosman Daily has contacted both Greenwood Hotel and Division Agency for comment.
Meanwhile, the venue attracted attention for a performance by US hip-hop legends De La Soul last month.
The rappers were more than an hour late for their show and failed to turn up for their soundcheck. The gig was described by one disgruntled punter as the “worst gig ever” and promoters PSV Touring were quick to point the finger of blame at De La Soul.
“The Greenwood Hotel is not at fault for any of the events on Friday evening (November 18),” the promoters said.
The band played just two songs and were forced to cancel the gig due to the venue’s curfew regulations.
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