Yosemite National Park (CA)
Music Fest Near Hetch Hetchy Results In Many Drug Arrests
Over the six-day period from September 17th to September 22nd, there was a significant increase in drug-related arrests throughout the park. A majority of these were related to the Symbiosis Gathering music festival that occurred on lands adjacent to the park near the Hetch Hetchy entrance. A shift in the park's existing staffing levels on the days during which the event occurred resulted in 23 misdemeanor arrests for possession of controlled substances, including hallucinogenic mushrooms, amphetamines, LSD, cocaine, ecstasy, opiates, hydrocodone, nitrous oxide and large amounts of marijuana. One incident in which a driver failed to pay for or show proof of entrance into the park led rangers on a slow speed pursuit through the park and down a rugged dirt road. When the driver finally stopped but refused to follow rangers' instructions, she was taken into custody after a taser deployment. A vehicle search revealed hallucinogenic mushrooms, marijuana and also, ironically, a valid entrance pass. Though the festival ended officially at noon on Monday, September 21st, many participants were still in the area early last week and generating cases within the park. [Submitted by Sally Sprouse, Mather District Ranger]
{The image of someone dragging around a 20-100 pound cylinder of nitrous oxide suggests a Cheech and Chong routine.}
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