A man who smuggled drugs worth more than £4,000 into the Creamfields music festival in Cheshire to sell them has been jailed. Matthew Clarkson, 25, produced a black sock he had concealed down his trousers containing 'wraps of powder and pills' when challenged by security guards, police said.
He was also found with a plastic snap-bag filled with white powder. Police said the drugs were later confirmed to be MDMA, 2CB, cocaine and ketamine with a collective street value of more than £4,000. In subsequent interviews, Clarkson described himself as 'naive and stupid'.
Court appearance and sentence
Clarkson, of Toft Hill, Durham, appeared at Chester Crown Court on October 6 after previously pleading guilty to possession with intent to supply class A and B drugs. He was jailed for three years.
In a statement, Cheshire Police said: "At 5pm on Friday 22 August 2025, Clarkson was at Creamfields music festival where he was seen leaving the campsite area to enter the main arena. A security officer saw him behaving suspiciously and asked if he was in possession of any drugs."
Police warning
"Clarkson produced a snap bag containing traces of white powder. He then removed a black sock which he had tried to conceal in his trousers which contained wraps of powder and pills," the statement added.
PC Lisa Green, of Cheshire Police, said: "Clarkson would have had countless opportunities to dispose of the drugs before he entered Creamfields and this is why those who choose to ignore the countless warnings against bringing drugs into the festival are dealt with robustly."
"In interview, Clarkson said he had been 'naive and stupid'. He is now serving time in prison for this decision, one which will stay on his record upon his release. I hope this sentence warns others that drugs supply offences are treated very seriously, which is reflected in this significant period of imprisonment."
