Man jailed for smuggling drugs into Creamfields Festival

A 27-year-old man has been jailed for two and a half years after being caught smuggling a number of illegal drugs into the Daresbury music festival in his shoes and underwear.

Luke Moran appeared at Chester Crown Court on Thursday 10 October, where he was jailed for two and a half years after pleading guilty to possession with intent to supply class A drugs (cocaine), possession with intent to supply class B drugs (ketamine) and attempted possession with intent to supply class B drugs.

During his hearing, the court heard that in the early hours of Friday 26 August 2022, security officers in the Gold Campsite of the Daresbury dance festival heard the sound of a nitrous oxide canister being degassed from one of the tents.

Upon opening the tent, security officers found Moran with another man and two women surrounded by numerous nitrous oxide canisters - which were prohibited on site - inside.

A subsequent search of the tent was conducted, and the security officers found three small bags containing varying quantities of white powder. The security team also witnessed Moran dropping a large clear bag containing several smaller bags with white powder inside.

Further bags containing white and brown substances were found within a pair of trainers next to Moran's tent.

Following the search, Moran attempted to flee but was quickly stopped by security, with him and the other tent occupants being escorted to an Eviction Hut on the site, where Cheshire Police officers were waiting to search him.

Upon arrival at the hut, Moran was searched by officers who found a pack of snap bags containing white powder that was concealed in his tracksuit waistband and a further pack containing bags of white powder being produced from his boxer shorts.

£645 in cash that was found in his wallet and rucksack.

As a result of the find, Moran was arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply and was taken to Runcorn custody where he was interviewed by officers - answering no comment to all questions posed to him.

Despite this, Luke Moran, of Connington Avenue, Manchester, was charged and ordered to appear at Chester Crown Court on Thursday 10 October, where he was sentenced to 30 months imprisonment.

Following his sentencing, Detective Constable Neil Fleming said:

"Every year we and the Creamfields events and security teams do our utmost to ensure that everyone attending the festival can have a safe and enjoyable time, and for the most part festivalgoers have respected the laws.

"Moran will have no doubt been aware of these laws and the restrictions at Creamfields and would have had ample opportunity to re-think his actions before it was too late, with amnesty bins and surrender points placed at all festival entries, but he decided to run the risk - which did not pay off.

"Anyone who, like Moran, decides to risk bringing illegal drugs into Cheshire should seriously reconsider their choices, as we will always take swift and robust action and they will be dealt with with the full extent of the law."

Pictured - Luke Moran of Connington Avenue in Manchester.