State of Trance: Party-goers ignore police warnings about drugs

SIXTY-FIVE people were arrested and three were taken to hospital for suspected overdoses after police swooped on a dance party in Sydney.

SIXTY-FIVE people were charged and three others were taken to hospital after a dance party at Sydney Olympic Park overnight.

More than 12,700 people attended the State of Trance over 18s dance party, held between 9pm last night and 5am this morning.

The popular event, held at the Exhibition Halls, saw Armin Van Buuren and Gaia heading a line-up of high profile DJs.

During his set, Van Buuren paid tribute to fellow DJ Avicii, who died last week at the age of 28.

Police from the South West Metropolitan Region, were assisted by a sniffer dogs charged eight people for supplying drugs, most being MDMA.

This included a 20-year-old man who was found with 150 caps of MDMA, 26 ecstasy tablets and eight grams of cocaine.

A 19-year-old man was charged with supplying drugs after he was allegedly found with 120 MDMA caps, while a 23-year-old received the same charge after allegedly being found with 47 MDMA caps. They are both due in Burwood Local Court on May 10.

Police charged an additional 55 people with drug possession.

On-site medical staff treated 45 partygoers, with three men aged between 18 and 22 being admitted to Concord Hospital with suspected drug overdoses.

It’s believed they are in a stable condition.

South West Metropolitan Region Enforcement Squad commander Detective Inspector Gus Viera said the results of the overnight operation were alarming.

“It never ceases to amaze me how many people ignore all the warnings — not only health warnings but the awareness that there will be a high-visibility police operation — then choose to carry illegal drugs into the venue,” Detective Inspector Viera said.

Police are shocked partygoers continue to ignore warnings about drugs.

“We’ve detected dozens of young people carrying substances which could not only result in a criminal charge but — if taken — could be life-threatening.

“We have police at all entry points checking for illicit substances, we have drug detection dogs conducting sweeps of the area, yet people still think they can bring drugs into these functions without being stopped.

“Poor choices can have serious consequences and we urge all people attending these functions to party safely, look after your friends, and don’t risk your health or your good reputation.”

Originally published as State of Trance: Party-goers ignore police warnings about drugs