Two men have been jailed after attempting to smuggle drugs stuffed in a cider crate, into Creamfields music festival.
James Jones (25) of Arkley Street, Dundee, and Andrew Rankin (25) of Wishhart Place, Dundee, appeared at Chester Crown Court on Tuesday, where they were each sentenced to three years for possession with intent to supply MDMA and ketamine.
On August 25, 2022, the pair went into the music festival but they were stopped due to a positive indication by a drugs dog. They told the dog handler that they were carrying ‘unknown’ drugs into the festival for another person.
The drugs were subsequently recovered from a crate of cider. Five of the cans had been tampered with and drugs were hidden inside.
Jones (pictured left) and Rankin (pictured right) were arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply drugs. While further enquiries were carried out, both men were released under investigation.
Testing confirmed the drugs to be MDMA and ketamine, with an estimated street value of more than £13,000.
Jones and Rankin were both charged with drugs offences and pleaded guilty to the offences in February 2024.
Held accountable
DC Neil Fleming said: “I hope these sentences send a stark warning to those who think they can travel to Cheshire and commit these types of offences – you will be prosecuted and held accountable for your actions.
“Jones and Rankin would have had multiple opportunities to re-think what they were doing. Amnesty bins were in place at entrance points of the site for prohibited items, but despite this, they still continued in their efforts to smuggle in harmful and illegal drugs.
“The festival is a huge operation and Cheshire Police work with event organisers and security staff in a bid to prevent illegal drugs getting into the site.
“Be under no illusion, while a large majority of Creamfields festivalgoers are respectful, those smuggling drugs into the event will be charged and dealt with by the courts. Do not make this mistake.”
