Six people were charged at the weekend with possession of controlled drugs at a music event in Moray.
On Saturday, officers from the Divisional Alcohol & Violence Reduction Unit (DAVRU) along with members of the Elgin Community Policing Team and the force’s specialist drugs detection dog and handler attended DECODED at Elgin Town Hall.
Representatives from the NHS, Arrows Drug & Alcohol Counselling and the street pastors were also there to support the organisers and around 300 attendees.
During the evening six people – two women and four men aged between 18 and 37 – were charged with being in possession of controlled drugs.
Inquiries are also continuing after items suspected to be controlled drugs were removed from four other individuals, the police said.
Officers also carried out a drug search warrant in Forres on Friday and a 23-year-old was charged with possessing a Class B drug.
The operation, which aimed to tackle the use, sale and supply of illegal substances, was carried out after concerns were raised by the local community.
Sergeant Scott Brander from the DAVRU said: “A lot of hard work goes into organising events like this and we want to support organisers in ensuring they pass safely and with minimal disturbance to the surrounding community.
“By no means do we want to spoil anyone’s fun however it’s crucial that the small minority who choose to break the law and potentially ruin the night for others know that they will not get away with it. Reports will be sent to the Procurator Fiscal in due course.
“I would like to thank the organisers for working alongside us so positively on Saturday night however particular thanks goes to our partners for their support and assistance. Being together on-site allows us to collectively help and support those who might need it there and then, but it also provides us with an opportunity to engage, educate and signpost those who might be in need of additional or longer term care and support.”
