He 'decided to take the risk'... it didn't pay off

A man who smuggled drugs into the Creamfields festival in his shoes and underwear was caught out after security officers heard the sound of a laughing gas canister coming from inside his tent.

Luke Moran, 27, 'decided to take the risk' when he flouted the laws and ignored the amnesty bins at the festival site in Daresbury in August - but it 'didn't pay off', Cheshire Police said.

Chester Crown Court heard that in the early hours of August 26, security officers in the Gold Campsite of the dance festival heard the sound of a nitrous oxide canister being degassed from one of the tents.

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Upon opening the tent, security officers found Moran with another man and two women surrounded by numerous prohibited nitrous oxide canisters - also known as laughing gas - inside.

After the tent was searched, officers found three small bags containing varying quantities of white powder. The security team also witnessed Moran dropping a large clear bag containing several smaller bags with white powder inside, court heard.

Further bags containing white and brown substances were found within a pair of trainers next to Moran's tent.

Moran attempted to flee but was stopped by security, with him and the other tent occupants escorted to an Eviction Hut on the site, where Cheshire Police officers were waiting to search him.

Upon arrival at the hut, Moran was searched by officers who found a pack of snap bags containing white powder that was concealed in his tracksuit waistband and a further pack containing bags of white powder being produced from his boxer shorts. £645 in cash that was found in his wallet and rucksack.

Moran was arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply class A drugs and was taken to custody where he was interviewed by officers, answering no comment to all questions posed to him.

Moran, of Connington Avenue, Blackley, was charged and ordered to appear at Chester Crown Court on October 10, where he was jailed for two and a half years after pleading guilty to possession with intent to supply class A drugs (cocaine), possession with intent to supply class B drugs (ketamine) and attempted possession with intent to supply class B drugs.

Following his sentencing, Detective Constable Neil Fleming of Cheshire Police said: "Every year we and the Creamfields events and security teams do our utmost to ensure that everyone attending the festival can have a safe and enjoyable time, and for the most part festivalgoers have respected the laws.

"Moran will have no doubt been aware of these laws and the restrictions at Creamfields and would have had ample opportunity to re-think his actions before it was too late, with amnesty bins and surrender points placed at all festival entries, but he decided to run the risk - which did not pay off.

"Anyone who, like Moran, decides to risk bringing illegal drugs into Cheshire should seriously reconsider their choices, as we will always take swift and robust action and they will be dealt with with the full extent of the law."