'It's concerning': Dozens arrested in drug bust at long weekend rave
Thirty-two partygoers were arrested with drugs at a rave in the Docklands overnight prompting warnings from police about public safety this long weekend.
About 7000 revellers flocked to Etihad Stadium overnight for the smalltown at B3 event. Police and the dog squad conducted 72 searches and made 32 arrests with quantities of ecstasy, ketamine, cannabis, cocaine and LSD seized.
Of those arrested, four were charged, including two who had traffickable amounts of cocaine, two were formally cautioned and 26 were referred to a drug diversion program.
Two men tried to run away when sniffer dogs approached them but they were quickly chased down.
Melbourne Divisional Response and Embona Taskforce senior sergeant Rohan Courtis said the amount of arrests was "concerning".
"It exceeded the amount that we had at a recent similar event," he said.
"We've seen so much violence around illicit drug use, with police, then on emergency staff then trauma on roads so it's disappointing people see this as a healthy choice and recreational activity.
"We really want to remind people to think of their safety and respect for other people during this long weekend."
He said Etihad management had been similarly disappointed with the results.
"We're all aiming for the same outcome: no overdoses, no deaths."
"It's concerning when recently we've had drug overdoses at Festival Hall and deaths in Sydney at a similar event."
In January, nine people were hospitalised after a mass overdose at the I Am Hardstyle event at Festival Hall.
At the time, Ambulance Victoria state health commander Paul Holman said the overdoses could have proved lethal had medical staff not been on hand so quickly.
"They are certainly lucky they didn't die on the spot," he said.
"They had St John Ambulance there providing first aid, they had a doctor there who was providing intervention.
“If they hadn't been there, certainly some of these young people might not even have got to the hospital."
The organiser of smalltown at B3 has been contacted for comment.
Most Viewed in National
A relationship banned under traditional law.
Our new podcast series from the team behind Phoebe's Fall
View episodes