fbpx

Sudoeste festival marred by drug arrests

marijuanaGNR personnel detained 14 people for drug offences at the Sudoeste festival in Zambujeira do Mar, Odemira which ended on Saturday 5th August.

The GNR Territorial Command in Beja reported that 10 men and 4 women, aged between 17 and 30, were arrested on suspicion of drug dealing during operation 'Meo Sudoeste 2017.'

Two of the detainees were sentenced to pre-trial detention and the others have to report to police stations regularly, until trial.

During the security and policing operation at the festival, held at the Herdade da Casa Branca in Zambujeira do Mar, the GNR seized enough hashish for 4,847 ‘experiences’, enough cannabis for 420 joints, 398 pills, 38 lines of cocaine and €3,030 in cash.

In the operation, which was supported by the fearsome Intervention Unit and the National Transit Unit, more than 120 military personnel were at the gig each day.

The report was at pains to stress that the forces of law and order also aided spectators in the resolution of incidents and "minor conflicts."

The 21st edition of the Meo Sudoeste festival began on the 2nd of August and ran for four nights, although the campsite hosted events as from July 29th, with music, theatre, contemporary circus performances and art workshops.

Around 200,000 people visited the festival.