A man who tried to smuggle thousands of pounds worth of drugs into the Creamfields music festival in Daresbury has been jailed for three years.
Matthew Clarkson, 25, of Toft Hill, Durham, was sentenced at Chester Crown Court on Tuesday, 6 October, after pleading guilty to possession with intent to supply Class A and Class B drugs.
Clarkson was at the festival at around 5pm on Friday, 22 August 2025, when he was seen leaving the campsite area to enter the main arena.
A security officer became suspicious of his behaviour and asked if he was carrying any drugs.
Clarkson produced a snap bag containing traces of white powder before removing a black sock he had concealed in his trousers.
The sock contained a number of wraps of powder and pills, which were later identified as drugs with a combined street value of more than £4,300.
These included around £600 worth of MDMA, £430 worth of 2CB, up to £1,500 worth of cocaine and up to £1,800 worth of ketamine.
Clarkson was subsequently charged with the offences.
PC Lisa Green said: “Clarkson would have had countless opportunities to dispose of the drugs before he entered Creamfields and this is why those who choose to ignore the countless warnings against bringing drugs into the festival are dealt with robustly.
“In interview, Clarkson said he had been ‘naïve and stupid’. He is now serving time in prison for this decision, one which will stay on his record upon his release.
“I hope this sentence warns others that drugs supply offences are treated very seriously, which is reflected in this significant period of imprisonment.”
