Two men jailed after trying to smuggle drugs into festival

Two men have been jailed for a combined total of six years after trying to smuggle drugs into a music festival in Daresbury.

James Jones and Andrew Rankin, both 25, appeared at Chester Crown Court on Tuesday 12 March where they were each sentenced to three years for possession with intent to supply MDMA and ketamine.

The case against the pair began at 3pm on Thursday 25th August 2022, when Jones, of Arklay Street, Dundee, and Rankin, of Wishhart Place, Dundee, entered Creamfields music festival.

They were then stopped due to a positive indication by a drugs dog. Both men stated to the dog handler that they were carrying drugs into the festival for another person, but did not know what the drugs were.

The drugs were subsequently recovered from a crate of cider. Five of the cans had been tampered with and drugs were hidden inside.

Jones and Rankin were arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply drugs.

While further enquiries and testing of the drugs was carried out, both men were released under investigation.

Testing of the drugs confirmed them to be MDMA and ketamine, with an estimated street value of more than £13,000.

Jones and Rankin were both charged with drugs offences in December 2023 and pleaded guilty to the offences in February 2024.

Following the sentencing, DC Neil Fleming said:

“I hope these sentences send a stark warning to those who think they can travel to Cheshire and commit these types of offences – you will be prosecuted and held accountable for your actions.

“Jones and Rankin would have had multiple opportunities to re-think what they were doing. Amnesty bins were in place at entrance points of the site for prohibited items, but despite this, they still continued in their efforts to smuggle in harmful and illegal drugs.

“The festival is a huge operation and Cheshire Police work with event organisers and security staff in a bid to prevent illegal drugs getting into the site.

“Be under no illusion, while a large majority of Creamfields festivalgoers are respectful, those smuggling drugs into the event will be charged and dealt with by the courts. Do not make this mistake.”