Several suspected drug dealers were arrested during the first weekend of the Tomorrowland music festival, which is taking place in Boom (Antwerp province) until Sunday 30 July, a judicial source said on Tuesday.
The 17 suspects were apprehended while selling drugs in and around the provincial estate hosting the festival. They include one Belgian, three Dutch, two Spanish, one Portuguese, two Italians, three Irish, one Moroccan, one Canadian, one Malaysian and two Australians.
One of those arrested has been placed under arrest warrant. All are due to appear before the criminal court at a hearing scheduled for 25 October.
Police officers also checked 148 festival goers who were found to be in possession of drugs presumably intended for their personal consumption. The people concerned were fined and had to pay immediately upfront. The total fines collected amounted to €37,500.
The drugs were seized and the offenders were asked to hand in their festival access wristbands and leave the premises immediately.
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15 taxis near the festival site were also seized administratively. Their drivers are accused of having loaded customers outside authorised areas or of not having a vehicle not legally in order.
Eight drones, the use of which is prohibited on the site, were also confiscated by officers.
Among other offences recorded during this first week of Tomorrowland, 73 reports were made of pickpocketing, theft of necklaces and theft from vehicles.
