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What If You Are Caught With Drugs At A Festival?

by | Aug 23, 2018 | Criminal Law, Drugs, General News, Police

caught with drugs at a festival

What Happens If You’re Caught with Drugs at a Festival in the UK?

 

UPDATED : 30/06/2025

1. UK Drug Laws — What You Need to Know

Under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, drugs are categorised as Class A, B or C. Possession of any controlled drug is illegal, regardless of location – including festivals. Penalties vary by class and circumstances bljsolicitors.co.uk.

  • Class A (e.g. MDMA, cocaine, LSD, heroin): up to 7 years imprisonment for possession, and life imprisonment for supply gov.uk.

  • Class B (e.g. cannabis, amphetamines, ketamine): up to 5 years imprisonment for possession (summary cases may face smaller fines or up to 3 months custodial) and up to 14 years for supply festivalsafe.com+5gov.uk+5mondaq.com+5.

  • Class C (e.g. benzodiazepines, steroids): up to 2 years imprisonment for possession; supply penalties mirror other classes gov.uk.

Police can issue on-the-spot cannabis warnings or £90 fines for small quantities believed to be personal use — though repeated offences may lead to prosecution festivalsafe.com+2gov.uk+2en.wikipedia.org+2.

2. What Happens if Police Stop You at a UK Festival?

  • Stop and Search / Sniffer Dogs: Many festivals in 2025 include searches at entry points and sometimes nearby transport hubs. You’re subject to arrest, ejection, or prosecution if caught with drugs gov.uk+3festivalsafe.com+3bljsolicitors.co.uk+3.

  • Possession vs. Supply: Carrying alcohol or accepting drugs for others can be deemed supplying — a much heavier offence even at festivals .

3. Potential Outcomes on the Spot or Later

Scenario Possible Outcome
Small Class B drug (e.g. cannabis) Cannabis warning / £90 fine; unlikely to escalate unless repeated
Small Class C drug Likely cautioned or released without charge
Small Class A or larger quantity Class B/C Arrest → charge of possession; courts consider factors like quantity, record, location
With intention to supply (sharing, multiple items) Charged for supply/intent to supply; potential prison sentence (7–14 years) or more gov.uk+3sentencingcouncil.org.uk+3en.wikipedia.org+3

4. Sentencing Guidelines & Factors

Sentencing follows the Sentencing Council guidelines (effective April 2021) sentencingcouncil.org.uk+1sentencingcouncil.org.uk+1:

Courts consider aggravating or mitigating factors such as previous offences, intent to supply, vulnerable recipients, and whether the offender pleaded guilty early (which can reduce sentence) sentencingcouncil.org.uk.

5. Long‑Term Consequences of a Drug Conviction

  • Even a caution can appear on DBS checks and affect job prospects, insurance, or immigration eligibility (e.g. visas for the US) .

  • Criminal records lasting for years — even convictions for small quantities can impact career, travel or future legal matters.

  • If found supplying, consequences are far more severe and long‑lasting — including life imprisonment and financial penalties.

6. Harm Reduction & Festival Best Practices

Though drug use remains illegal, harm reduction services have expanded in recent years:

  • Some festivals in the UK partner with licensed drug-checking providers such as WEDINOS or The Loop, offering anonymous testing to reduce risk gov.ukpublications.parliament.uk+1festivalsafe.com+1.

  • Still, these services require Home Office licensing, and samples are surrendered — they do not legalise drug use.

  • Festival organisers and public health campaigns encourage attendees to stay hydrated, use pill testing, travel in groups, and know overdose signs.

7. How a Criminal Defence Solicitor Can Help

If you’ve been arrested or charged:

  • A specialist criminal defence solicitor can assess whether the offence is best treated as possession only or supply, negotiate charges or penalties, and present mitigation to the court.

  • They can argue for caution or conditional discharge, where appropriate, or challenge evidence (e.g. search procedure, consent, quantity) to avoid conviction.

Summary

If you’re caught with drugs at a UK festival in 2025:

  • The type of drug (Class A, B or C) and quantity matter most.

  • Possession can result in up to 7 years imprisonment for Class A, up to 5 years for Class B.

  • If deemed to be supplying, you risk much longer behind bars.

  • Even a caution or warning may have long-term consequences.

  • Services like licensed drug-checking operate under strict controls but remain subject to law.

  • Getting specialist legal advice early can significantly improve outcomes.

How can we help?

If you – or someone you know – has any questions regarding this issue are experts are on-hand to offer confidential advice. You can also read more about our DRUG OFFENCE SERVICES.

If you need to get hold of us, call us 24/7 on  0161 477 1121 or contact us by email.