Festival contractor caught by police with 260 grams of cocaine, other drugs

A huge amount of drugs, including 260 grams of cocaine, has allegedly been found stashed in the car of two men travelling to work at Australia's Rainbow Serpent Festival, which kicks off next Thursday (January 25).

Police arrested the men at a Ballarat petrol station, about half an hour from the festival site at Lexton, Victoria, on Wednesday (January 18) after allegedly finding drugs, cash, electronic scales and zip lock bags in their Toyota ute.

The Courier reports police allegedly seized 260 grams of cocaine, 86 times the trafficable quantity, valued about $85,000 AUD, 84 grams of cannabis, 15 grams of MDMA, 25 grams of amphetamine and amphetamine paste, one litre of GHB and four grams of hashish.

Cash totaling $12,453 AUD as well as $6200 in US dollars was also allegedly seized from the ute, the paper reports.

One of the men told police he was contracted to work at next week’s festival and his business, Psyclone Tents, was supplying equipment.

Rainbow Serpent organisers said in a statement: "the Rainbow team works incredibly hard to keep our patrons safe and to have a legitimate voice in the community around drug law reform and harm minimisation.

"To see this morning’s report that one of our contractors has been charged with serious drug offences has left us in shock and extremely disappointed. We unreservedly condemn these actions and appreciate the work of Victoria Police for preventing those drugs from arriving on site."

Scott Carbines is Mixmag's Australian Digital Content Editor, follow him on Twitter