Creamfields Shock: Police Dig Up Huge Drug Stash Buried at Festival Site Before Thousands Arrive

Police have uncovered a large stash of illegal drugs buried beneath the grounds of the Creamfields festival site just days before tens of thousands of music fans are due to arrive for the annual dance event.

Specialist officers searching the site in Daresbury, near Warrington, found ecstasy, MDMA and ketamine tablets, along with about 204 canisters of nitrous oxide. The discovery was made during pre-event searches designed to prevent crime and disorder during the festival, which is expected to attract up to 80,000 people over the August Bank Holiday weekend.

The discovery has raised eyebrows because police believe some of the drugs were deliberately buried in advance, apparently so they could be retrieved once the festival was under way. Officers have warned that further searches will continue before Creamfields opens.

Drugs Found Buried Around Festival Site

The haul included Class A, B and C drugs, according to Cheshire Constabulary. Among the items recovered were large bags containing ecstasy, MDMA and ketamine tablets, as well as more than 200 canisters of nitrous oxide.

Photos released by police showed some of the unusual tablets recovered during the operation. One batch included green ecstasy tablets shaped like Cornetto ice-cream logos.

The discovery was made during the first week of specialist searches at the site. Officers recovered 204 canisters of nitrous oxide alongside the bags of tablets.

Cheshire Police said the searches form part of its wider operation ahead of the festival and are expected to continue in the days leading up to the event.

Police Issue Unusual Warning to Drug Dealers

The force's message to anyone who buried drugs at the site was unusually blunt.

Superintendent Andy Blizard, who is overseeing the Creamfields policing operation, said officers were aware that people sometimes tried to avoid detection by hiding drugs at the venue well before the festival began.

He warned that police expected to uncover more hidden substances as the searches continued. The officer also appeared to mock those responsible, saying anyone who had buried a rucksack or holdall and wanted it back should contact police.

Officers have already begun making enquiries to identify the people responsible for the hidden drugs.

80,000 Festivalgoers Expected

Creamfields 2026 is due to take place in Daresbury from Thursday, 27 August, through Monday, 31 August, with as many as 80,000 people expected to attend.

The event's line-up includes major electronic music names such as Swedish House Mafia, Calvin Harris, Carl Cox and Martin Garrix, alongside performances from Disclosure, Faithless and Underworld.

With thousands of people preparing to descend on the site, Cheshire Police has stressed that it operates a zero-tolerance approach to drugs at the festival. The latest operation is part of police efforts to make the event safer before festivalgoers begin arriving. Officers will continue working with organisers and security staff during the event itself.

More Searches Expected Before Festival

Police said the latest discovery does not necessarily represent the full extent of drugs hidden around the venue. Specialist teams will continue searching the grounds in the run-up to the festival, with officers expecting to find additional quantities.

The operation comes as police increase preparations for one of the UK's biggest electronic music events. The discovery of drugs buried underground also highlights the lengths some people may go to in an attempt to bypass security checks at major festivals.

For now, the drugs recovered during the searches have been seized, while officers continue enquiries to establish who placed them at the site.

With Creamfields still days away from opening, police have made it clear that the searches are not over. More hidden stashes could yet be uncovered before the first crowds arrive.