Getting drugs into festivals (avoiding security, sniffer dogs etc)

[pesh]

thinking back to the coke ket situation i'm finding it hard to believe that dealers are selling K as coke… K is going for about £40 a gram at the moment due to the fact its in short supply, compared to coke that starts at about the same price, whats the point?

and i wasn't suggesting that a serious assault didn't place either, i'm just finding TheInsiders second or third-hand account of what was happening and where and when seems at odds with what i saw there.

i was in crew camping most of Thursday night and all Friday morning as well, none of us heard anything, the area was rammed and there was no shortage of crew members who would have been more than happy to put their drinks down long enough to go help someone in distress, that and no posters or incident boards were put up in that area, zero police presence in there all weekend and the first I or any of the crew i was with heard about it was in the press after we left site while the nicked crew wristbands had been a hot topic of conversation all weekend.

i don't doubt people shouting for help will be ignored in some areas, but in a camping field, especially a crew one, and one thats unusually full at all times due to the weather that seems a bit unlikely. i was hearing people fart in bed 10 tents away. a girl screaming blue murder for 5 minutes would not have been blanked.

 

[Gromit]

Not zero presense.

The police tended to walk from the production area (where their vans were camped up) down to the crew bar and straight into the festival. They were there. They just didn't patrol that camp site as far as i could tell.

 

[pesh]

well no, they were eating in catering as well, but they wern't conducting enquiries into a rape in there.

 

[TheInsider]

thinking back to the coke ket situation i'm finding it hard to believe that dealers are selling K as coke… K is going for about £40 a gram at the moment due to the fact its in short supply, compared to coke that starts at about the same price, whats the point?

and i wasn't suggesting that a serious assault didn't place either, i'm just finding TheInsiders second or third-hand account of what was happening and where and when seems at odds with what i saw there.

i was in crew camping most of Thursday night and all Friday morning as well, none of us heard anything, the area was rammed and there was no shortage of crew members who would have been more than happy to put their drinks down long enough to go help someone in distress, that and no posters or incident boards were put up in that area, zero police presence in there all weekend and the first I or any of the crew i was with heard about it was in the press after we left site while the nicked crew wristbands had been a hot topic of conversation all weekend.

i don't doubt people shouting for help will be ignored in some areas, but in a camping field, especially a crew one, and one thats unusually full at all times due to the weather that seems a bit unlikely. i was hearing people fart in bed 10 tents away. a girl screaming blue murder for 5 minutes would not have been blanked.

Trouble is don't think of it as business. This is targetted predatory behaviour. They are passing Ket because of the effect, not because of the value. Also look at the Class we are dealing with - Class A to Class C. It was a messy situation, the police have a crime number and reports, including witness statements now as well. It's happened before - we had one at the very first festival of the season but the girl withdrew her statement (which often happens when the local force send two blokes to interview her and not a female officer!)

Sometimes a scream mixes with other noise - you'd be surprised. I've heard a scream over a band on stage sometimes, but I also know that if you don't tune in you can miss a scream in the house next door. Or it can be ignored. In addition, she may have thought she was screaming at full volume, but if she was chemically affected, that changes. I was surprised at the mention of police presence inside as there is a whole raft of legislation and cost issues around that - the only reason would be wristbands, but to be honest that would have been gate staff to check.

 

[pesh]

sure, i was just commenting on what you originally posted which was that drugs weren't involved and that she had been screaming for a few minutes before security arrived. if it had been within earshot of me or any of the dozens of people i know who were in that field we very much would have got involved. and fast.

 

[sim667]

The drugs dogs are private security - and do the same course as the police. A lot of handlers are ex military and ex police, so don't be lulled into a false sense on that one. If it sits, you get a chat. The three option questions is one that we worked on and one that the police are generally happy to go with. The only caveat is if you are under 18 (a child) or you are carrying way over personal use. We explain that there will be a question asked with three outcomes. The question will be "do you have any drugs on you, as indicated by the dog" - you can go "Oh, bugger me, yes, forgot about that, here it is" - hand it over, walk on through. You can say "no" - if it's found you can have your entry refused. if you say "yes" and then more is found, it is more likely to end up with you being handed over and refused because you tried to bypass the solution. Some security will also suggest that you "drop" the stuff and take two steps to the left, at which point it will be "discovered" in five minutes. They will generally ask for ID which will go in the evidence bag but this does not go to the police - it gets logged and then the stuff gets destroyed with none of the information going forward. Surprised the police moved inside to check stuff - they normally don't venture past the gates as that's the whole point. May have been in response to the issues on site though and the theft of loads of wristbands. Again. Feeling a very dark vibe at most festivals this year already, and I'm five into the season. Dunno why, seems to be a very young, aggy bunch of people attending and not the chilled out dance people we are used to. Choice of music seems to be shite this year - which probably accounts for the idiots. A lot of security are very wary about the season and the problems that are coming up.

I'm not sure that's 100% true..... Confiscated drugs don't always get destroyed, they get resold...... I've first hand experience of this

When you get taken off for a search after a dog indication, they can remove clothes from you can they? I've known people to be stripped searched under threat of a few clouts from those big torches the American police use after dog indication.

 

[TheInsider]

The information I have is that drugs were not involved in this incident - but there were other incidents where drugs were involved. I am hearing all sorts of nasty rumours and I know that the police are continuing with investigations based on intelligence and information that has been passed to them relating to this case. It all gets a little confusing. We have had Ket used on girls in many ways. One of the worst things that we have to do is wrist band under 18s - it's like putting a sodding advert on them. None of this is perfect and there have to be lessons learned at some point. We always say don't leave people - but that's not realistic is it? More patrols - but that's more money that organisers don't want to spend. It has to go back to personal awareness, friend systems and overwatch of each other. I think that many people would get involved on hearing a scream - but I also know from experience that some write it off as people "messing about" or they just almost pretend they can't hear it.

 

[TheInsider]

I'm not sure that's 100% true..... Confiscated drugs don't always get destroyed, they get resold...... I've first hand experience of this

When you get taken off for a search after a dog indication, they can remove clothes from you can they? I've known people to be stripped searched under threat of a few clouts from those big torches the American police use after dog indication.

All gets destroyed - it goes - or should do - into key combination safes where the combination is dual controlled from security and police. Like the amnesty boxes with two keys - one held by security, one by police. Obviously it doesn't work all the time and it goes into pockets, but the aim is to simply remove, destroy. I have dogs sit by me continually because of traces (at least, that's why I tell them...) In the bad old days we used to seize and sell them back or sell them on, granted. These days, no. But there are always some idiots out there who will do something stupid.

You cannot be searched under clothing (I thought I said that before somewhere else?). They can ask you to remove surface layers like coats, but that's it. There should be no skin contact under clothes either. We use prison type searches (apart from the chair). We also don't use the big D Cell torches as they are rubbish and unwieldy. We use tactical torches instead, much more practical. Clubbing someone to get compliance is a rubbish way of doing it. If I wanted to do a non-compliant then I would restrain to the floor but that would not happen in this environment. But we never do non-compliant and if anyone is subject to one they should kick up a loud fuss and report it. I know it's not easy getting a badge number, but a description of the person should be taken and passed to the police. If anyone tried to search me it would take more than a few and they would find it hard to scratch their arses with broken fingers....

 

[sim667]

All gets destroyed - it goes - or should do - into key combination safes where the combination is dual controlled from security and police. Like the amnesty boxes with two keys - one held by security, one by police. Obviously it doesn't work all the time and it goes into pockets, but the aim is to simply remove, destroy. I have dogs sit by me continually because of traces (at least, that's why I tell them...) In the bad old days we used to seize and sell them back or sell them on, granted. These days, no. But there are always some idiots out there who will do something stupid.

You cannot be searched under clothing (I thought I said that before somewhere else?). They can ask you to remove surface layers like coats, but that's it. There should be no skin contact under clothes either. We use prison type searches (apart from the chair). We also don't use the big D Cell torches as they are rubbish and unwieldy. We use tactical torches instead, much more practical. Clubbing someone to get compliance is a rubbish way of doing it. If I wanted to do a non-compliant then I would restrain to the floor but that would not happen in this environment. But we never do non-compliant and if anyone is subject to one they should kick up a loud fuss and report it. I know it's not easy getting a badge number, but a description of the person should be taken and passed to the police. If anyone tried to search me it would take more than a few and they would find it hard to scratch their arses with broken fingers....

There's a trend for searching in people's clothing at clubs at the moment, although bouncers I assume know full well it's illegal. My housemate a few months ago went to an event and they full on put hands in his underwear. I can imagine we'll start seeing this at festivals more and more.

I can assure you confiscated drugs being sold on is still a very common occurrence, I've no doubt they're being used by the security guards too after being confiscated. There's only a limited amount of ways security guards can do the ridiculously long shifts they do, and I very much doubt it's with red bull and coffee.

Tbh I'm just glad Stuart security aren't a common sight anymore. Fully of scally cunts they were.

 

[TheInsider]

Seriously - if anyone has been searched by having clothing removed that they have not removed themselves and that they have not consented to, then contact the police. There are many reasons for consensual searches being carried out, not least the Duty of Care and legality aspects of admissible evidence. Searches should be witnessed for the same reasons, and recorded. If this has not happened, then what has been taken is not admissible. Security staff are not allowed to carry out non-compliant searches unless they are aiming to prevent the disposal of evidence or for public safety reasons - but these cannot be enforced through violence described above. The concern here is that unless they are asking your age before searching, they could be dealing with a legal child under the age of 18. There should be no hands within clothing onto skin. Anything seized should be in evidence bags (unless they are doing you a favour and getting shot of it). It should not go into pockets "for later". The law relating to searches is difficult in that actually, you can get your gran to carry out compliant searches - but unless you fall into some very specific roles they cannot be non-compliant. Legally there is nothing stopping opposite sex searches either - but morally and ethically they are avoided because of potential of allegations. I know a lot of this is a game with security, but there has to be rules on both sides. If I put my hand in your pocket and get jabbed, I am going to go nuclear because you should have manned up and told me. By the same token, I would not expect to treat you badly simply because I have a badge and a position.

 

[TheInsider]

There's a trend for searching in people's clothing at clubs at the moment, although bouncers I assume know full well it's illegal. My housemate a few months ago went to an event and they full on put hands in his underwear. I can imagine we'll start seeing this at festivals more and more.

I can assure you confiscated drugs being sold on is still a very common occurrence, I've no doubt they're being used by the security guards too after being confiscated. There's only a limited amount of ways security guards can do the ridiculously long shifts they do, and I very much doubt it's with red bull and coffee.

Tbh I'm just glad Stuart security aren't a common sight anymore. Fully of scally cunts they were.

The only time I have carried out those is in venues where we simply do not trust the punter to put their hands in their own pockets. They are borderline but we had police approval based on the risk assessment. Hands in underwear is just not happening - and should be subject to an undercover visit from the police. That's sexual assault and is worrying.

I do shifts of 24/36/48 on willpower and water - and Berocca! I don't even let my guys use Red Bull because it makes them sketchy and jumpy. It can be done, but I've only every come across about 10 guys that can do it without sleeping standing up! They often claim to do long shifts but take it in turns having 30 minutes out the back or behind the speakers... ;-)

 

[JTG]

Tbh I'm just glad Stuart security aren't a common sight anymore. Fully of scally cunts they were.

I was thinking of them when I was backing up wiskers' opinion that security tend to be better even than five years ago. Not seen them since they got bombed out by Glastonbury four years ago iirc

 

[TheInsider]

There are good companies and bad companies. And good and bad staff. Some are out of their depth, some are more than capable. Some are out for fun, some are out for trouble. Can't tell, same as the punters. Good companies use right person, right place. Bad companies just stuff the blokes where they can. The worst companies let their mates tell them where they want to work. We keep waiting for a better licencing system for companies, but it doesn't happen. Companies appear overnight in someone's bedroom, supply staff, sometimes they pay them, then disappear. Some guys lose thousands in wages because of dickhead companies and bedroom companies.

 

[sim667]

There are good companies and bad companies. And good and bad staff. Some are out of their depth, some are more than capable. Some are out for fun, some are out for trouble. Can't tell, same as the punters. Good companies use right person, right place. Bad companies just stuff the blokes where they can. The worst companies let their mates tell them where they want to work. We keep waiting for a better licencing system for companies, but it doesn't happen. Companies appear overnight in someone's bedroom, supply staff, sometimes they pay them, then disappear. Some guys lose thousands in wages because of dickhead companies and bedroom companies.

Stuart security were all proper ex military cunts, acting illegally most of the time.

 

[TheInsider]

Yeah some can be like that. I've found that they can be good, but sometimes they forget that they are following different rules of engagement. They can be very cliquey too - even speaking as ex military. Too much testosterone and ego - but then again they have a role and place in some jobs where that is needed. But nobody should be acting illegally - and if you allow it to carry on then you allow them to do it to the next person. I always expect them to treat people like I want to be treated. If they can't do it - pack up, fuck off - and that's quite common for me to sack people off site.

 

[Supine]

TheInsider - your phone must be red hot. Your hearing so much stuff...

 

[wiskey]

Stuart security were all proper ex military cunts, acting illegally most of the time.

You say that but I disagree. Also Brian S was associated with them and I completely respect him and his professionalism.

 

[tbtommyb]

I went before lunch on sunday and it was dead compared to previous mornings. Bad weather and post saturday night lay-ins I guess.
Good for a nice peaceful spacious sauna but not so good for them.

You might have seen me then! Quite a lot of me in fact as we were doing the naked yoga that morning.

 

[Gromit]

You might have seen me then! Quite a lot of me in fact as we were doing the naked yoga that morning.

I didn't watch the yoga so you are spared any blushes but i was there as people were asking for the yoga in the sauna.

We might have chatted in the sauna. There was that discussion about nutrition among other things.

Was the yoga good? She wasn't the usual instructor. I'm wondering if you were spared some of the more painful looking contortions the other girl was putting people through such as the arching the back whilst pointing the one leg to the sky.

I was the guy with the beard who was there with a Zombie. My mate who had partied rather hard the night before and spent most of his time in there dozing.

 

[TheInsider]

TheInsider - your phone must be red hot. Your hearing so much stuff...

I hear lots from lots of sources. Just the way it is. I am quite well known in work circles, but I also have different values from lots of the people I work with, although I am seeing a resurgence of people who are working in security because they get paid to go to festivals they like. I'm a volunteer for Green and Black Cross, legal observer - and my background is wide and varied. I work on both sides but I am lucky in that I can choose the work I do - some causes I believe in, some I go against - I don't have to prostitute my beliefs to put bread on the table and I am lucky in that. Some of the guys in the hi viz do the job because they need the money, no other reason. I have contacts and friends across both sides of the divide and no conflict of interest as the sides don't meet. My current girlfriend (so that narrows my gender - maybe...!) says that my background is schizophrenic and compartmentalised. She's not wrong. I do believe in making things open to make things better for everyone. I dislike injustice and I dislike abuse of power. I dislike people who take advantage of others for whatever reason. I believe that by bringing this sort of thing into the open and having it discussed amongst people who have interests is the way that we get back to the way festivals used to be. I have ridiculous qualifications on crowd psychology and dynamics and research into protest. I live near SGP as well, which helps...

 

[tbtommyb]

I didn't watch the yoga so you are spared any blushes but i was there as people were asking for the yoga in the sauna.

We might have chatted in the sauna. There was that discussion about nutrition among other things.

Was the yoga good? She wasn't the usual instructor. I'm wondering if you were spared some of the more painful looking contortions the other girl was putting people through such as the arching the back whilst pointing the one leg to the sky.

I was the guy with the beard who was there with a Zombie. My mate who had partied rather hard the night before and spent most of his time in there dozing.

Ah yeah that must have been us, we went out with her. Yoga was good, it was just what I needed for my shoulders and also being outdoors helped me stop giving a fuck about the rain/mud.

Did you chat to that nice man who had retired from British rail and Then went to Glastonbury for the first time and then got into going to all the hippy/green festivals? Nice chap

 

[givegetlive]

Anyone thinking of going this year? I'm thinking of going with my gf as it seems a bit more up her street than Boomtown.

Does anyone have experience of working at it? My understanding was that ticket prices are quite high because many more people get in on a working ticket than other festivals and it's all a bit more collaborative. If we put in for something on the volunteer form are we likely to get something?

There are usually plenty of litter picking jobs going at Secret Garden Party. Work really not that bad 3 x 6 hour shifts with break in middle and they are all generally within the arena. Shift possibilities vary but happen between 07:00 and 21:00 so plenty of chance to get out and enjoy. There are options normally to work some shifts after festival as well making even more time, as long as you can hang around for the Monday and Tuesday. Try litter@secretgardenparty.com if interested. You will have to pay a deposit usually just above ticket price but all comes back to you less a tenner as long as you work all shifts.

 

[editor]

I've renamed the thread given its main focus on evading drug searches. Here's a relevant page:

Contrary to popular belief, dogs cannot SMELL THROUGH things.

They can smell under things, around things and into things. They can even pick out a single smell hidden among thousands of others.

But airtight containers such as glass Mason jars create a vacuum when sealed. If no air can escape then nor can any odour. And there is nothing for the dog to detect.

Plastic containers are porous, which means that no matter how well they are sealed, odours will eventually secrete through tiny microscopic holes.

Non-porous materials such as metal and glass, when sealed air tight, won’t secrete.

However, unless the container has been sealed in almost laboratory conditions the dog is likely to detect any odour left on it’s surface from hands that may have come into contact with it’s contents.


2) DISTRACTING SMELLS

Another myth about sniffer dogs is that overwhelming odours – such as chilli powder and dried pepper – will repel the animal, mask other smells or perhaps temporarily disable it from sniffing any further.



But such a method would be counter productive for a very simple reason:-

Any sneezing recoiling dog would be regarded as a positive and would most likely trigger a full search by it’s human handler.

Furthermore, dogs can identify a single odour in a stew of smell, in the same way we can identify a single colour in a painted picture.

However, the sniffer dog does has one major handicap when it comes to detective work:-

It’s still a DOG.

Ergo it’s just as likely to be distracted by the overwhelming smells of other animals than any other dog.

If it’s picking up the sent of a bitch on heat that may have very recently been in the vicinity, or the overpowering smell of another animal’s urine such as a cat, dog or fox then this may also confound and distract the dogs search.

How to Fool A Sniffer Dog

 

[sim667]

I've renamed the thread given its main focus on evading drug searches. Here's a relevant page:



How to Fool A Sniffer Dog

What I've taken from this, is I need to make my friend smell like a bitch on heat as a decoy

 

[editor]

*Bumped in time for the festival season

 

[IC3D]

Ground Coffee up the jacksee. You can even wrap your drugs in it.

 

[phillm]

Ground Coffee up the jacksee. You can even wrap your drugs in it.

Boney M wrote a song about that (I've got a..) ' Brown Girl in My Ring' da da da ..da

 

[editor]

Comprehensive update here:

Festival security, drug searches and your safety – an insider’s guide, 2018 update

 

[editor]

*Copied over from the Brixton forum as I feel it's of wider interest:

Great to see some top notch music in the park, nice crowd with not a wanker in sight (apart from maybe the sniffer dog handler). Well organised too.

Once again I got picked out for a full search by an overconfident grunt who wasted 15 minutes of my time searching me to no avail.

I was surprised that he asked me to unbutton my jeans and feel all along the top of my undies, front and back. I complied because I wanted to get in but this guide says:

Security guards don’t have the right to check a person’s underwear for hidden items as this can be considered assault.

As does this guide:

If you are searched, it must be compliant and based around surface area only – they cannot go under clothing to search. They are allowed to ask you to remove a coat/jacket/jumper, but that’s it.

They can search quite thoroughly – and well trained security staff are good at this. You will know how good they are when you are first “touched” – if they start with a collar check, you are probably meeting someone that has been trained by someone with a background in military, police or prison searches.

They are not allowed to touch genitals, but are allowed to “back hand” your buttocks/boobs – and also to run their hands up the insides of your legs. They will search by touch and will find stuff. If they ask you to empty pockets, etc – then just do it

Festival security, drug searches and your safety – an insider’s guide -

Three years ago, we posted up information about your rights when attending a festival, with straight talking advice on the potential pitfalls of smuggling in booze and drugs. The article proved hugely popular, and the author has now sent us a comprehensive update, which we hope you'll find...

www.urban75.org

 

[Epona]

*Copied over from the Brixton forum as I feel it's of wider interest:


Once again I got picked out for a full search by an overconfident grunt who wasted 15 minutes of my time searching me to no avail.

I was surprised that he asked me to unbutton my jeans and feel all along the top of my undies, front and back. I complied because I wanted to get in but this guide says:



As does this guide:

Festival security, drug searches and your safety – an insider’s guide -

Three years ago, we posted up information about your rights when attending a festival, with straight talking advice on the potential pitfalls of smuggling in booze and drugs. The article proved hugely popular, and the author has now sent us a comprehensive update, which we hope you'll find...

www.urban75.org

I'd consider making an official complaint to the festival organisers (as it was presumably them who hired the security firm that searched you in that way).
That is absolutely reprehensible, they do not have powers to do that and I would consider it an assault.
Sorry to hear you went through that, and I hope you're not feeling too fucked up by it