Cheshire Police have uncovered a huge drugs stash buried underground at the Creamfields festival site in Daresbury, days before the event is due to start. The haul includes 204 nitrous oxide canisters, also known as laughing gas, along with large bags containing ecstasy, MDMA and ketamine tablets.
The discovery was made during a pre-event search of the grounds using sniffer dogs. Creamfields 2026 is scheduled to take place over the August Bank Holiday Weekend, from Thursday 27 to Monday 31 August, with up to 80,000 music fans expected to attend.
Zero-tolerance policy reminder
Superintendent Andy Blizard, who is overseeing the Creamfields policing operation, said: "Every year we remind those attending Creamfields that there is a zero-tolerance policy regarding drugs."
He added: "Every year, we counter a number of brazen individuals who think they can outsmart us by concealing drugs from view or burying them at the site months in advance."
Blizard noted that specialist search teams have spent considerable time combing the grounds ahead of the festival's opening later this week.
Ongoing searches and amnesty bins
Cheshire Police said officers will be supporting Creamfields event and security staff during the festival, providing a visible presence to prevent incidents of crime and disorder. The force stated that searches of the site area are carried out as part of pre-event disruption work, and these will continue in the run-up to the event.
Drugs amnesty bins are placed before the entrance each year, encouraging revellers to dump any illegal drugs before passing security and risking arrest. Some of the ecstasy pills recovered are green and branded 'Cornetto'.
Blizard said he expects to find more drugs as searches continue, adding: "We fully expect to find further quantities as our searches continues, leaving many of those who chose to bury these items very much disappointed to find them no longer where left them when they arrive at the festival do dig them back up."
He also addressed those who had buried items at the site: "Anyone who has buried a rucksack or hold-all bag at the site and would like it back is asked to get in contact with us."
Officers have already begun enquiries to identify the owners of the drugs, and police said if the drug dealers want to come forward, they are welcome to.
