Man jailed for attempting to smuggle illegal drugs into Cheshire music festival

A man who took illegal drugs to a music festival in Cheshire has been jailed.

Blake Holmes appeared at Chester Crown Court on Tuesday 22 April where he was sentenced to 32 months in prison.

The 20-year-old of Woodburn Place, Dalkeith, had previously pleaded guilty to two counts of possession with intent to supply class A drugs (MDNA & cocaine), possession with intent to supply class B drugs (ketamine) and possession of a knife.

During the hearing, the court heard how on Friday 25 August 2023 Holmes attended the Creamfields Music Festival in Daresbury.

However, as he was approaching the VIP entrance, he stood in the queue stating that he had something to declare.

Upon speaking to officers Holmes stated that he had been paid £500 to take a black rucksack into the festival which contained approximately 50 tablets, some cocaine and some ketamine.

He was searched by officers, and upon looking in the backpack, they discovered a folding lock knife along with a pack of Irn-Bru cans, which were all sealed up and appeared to be full cans.

Upon further examination by officers, they noticed one of the cans appeared to be different, as it did not feel like it contained a liquid, it also had what looked like a false base to the can.

The Irn-Bru can was later opened and found to contain 62.4 grams of MDMA, 3.6 grams of ketamine and 10.1 grams of cocaine. The drugs were found to have an estimated street value of £1990.00.

Holmes was arrested in relation to the discovery, and despite initially stating that he had been paid to transport the drugs into the festival, he refused to answer any questions that were put to him in custody.

Following the sentencing, Police Constable Neil Fleming said:

“While Holmes may have admitted his wrongdoing before he entered the festival, what he did was illegal and I welcome the sentence that has been handed to him.

“Creamfields festival is a huge policing operation and we work with the event organisers and security staff 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.”

Pictured - Blake Holmes of Woodburn Place in Dalkeith.