NSW Police strip-searched five people and used sniffer dogs on many more at the official 2025 Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras party, uncovering illicit drugs including MDMA, GHB and cannabis.
The party, held at the Hordern Pavilion on March 2, drew a crowd of about 7000, according to Mardi Gras organisers.
While only four people were arrested during the parade, police have since disclosed the full extent of their presence at the party.
They charged two people with drug possession and issued future court attendance notices to another two – formal notices requiring a person to appear in court to face an alleged offence, issued in lieu of arrest.
Police issued 15 on-the-spot fines, known as criminal infringement notices, for possession of illicit drugs. These notices are typically used for low-level offences, including possession of small amounts of drugs.
Officers used three sniffer dogs at the venue and strip-searched five people, allegedly finding drugs on four of them. They also conducted general searches on 48 people and reported finding drugs in 19 cases.
No one was arrested or charged with supplying drugs.
The revelations come after the NSW drug summit delivered its final report to the state government earlier this year, recommending the end of strip searches and sniffer dogs at music festivals and similar events.
“Strip searching for suspected personal drug possession in all settings was strongly opposed, with attendees citing evidence regarding its harmful impacts. Psychological trauma, particularly for vulnerable populations was seen as a major harm and attendees questioned the practice’s effectiveness,” the report said.
Redfern Legal Centre’s Sam Lee, a supervising solicitor, backed the recommendation.
“We need legislative change to make it clear that strip searches should never be conducted based on suspicion of minor drug possession—not just at music festivals or during the drug testing trial, but permanently,” she said.
“Evidence shows that these humiliating and intimidating practices do not make festivals safer; in fact, they often encourage risky behaviours, such as preloading.”
The NSW government has yet to respond to the report’s recommendations.
The four separate people arrested during the Mardi Gras parade included:
- A 22-year-old man who performed a backflip on top of a moving police bus and was issued a criminal infringement notice for travelling on a moving vehicle.
- A 57-year-old man who was expected to be charged with two counts of assaulting a police officer in execution of duty without actual bodily harm, driving a motor vehicle in a menacing manner, and failing to comply with a police direction. Police allege he attempted to drive around mounted officers to get through a road closure during the parade. As he was being arrested, he allegedly threatened a news cameraman.
- A 33-year-old man who was charged with common assault and hindering or resisting a police officer in the execution of duty.
- A 48-year-old man who was charged with sexually touching another person without consent, and common assault.
Editor’s note: Journalists Eliot Hastie and Ben Grubb pay $50 annually for Mardi Gras memberships to access discounts at retail stores and bars but don’t use the membership’s voting rights.
Eliot Hastie is a senior news producer at Channel Ten, reporting on a range of general stories, specialising in foreign affairs and LGBTQ+ stories. He’s also a reporter for Gay Sydney News, where he covers LGBTQIA+ culture, politics and nightlife. He previously helped to build and launch ausbiz, Australia's only live streaming finance news channel, where he was also an executive producer and host. He has previously worked as a finance and business journalist for publications including Fintech Business, Real Estate Business and other Momentum Media titles. Eliot holds a journalism degree from the University of Westminster and brings experience in both broadcast and digital reporting. Contact Eliot: eliot.hastie@gaysydneynews.com.au
Ben Grubb is the founder and editor of Gay Sydney News, an independent publication covering LGBTQIA+ news. A journalist with more than 15 years' experience, he has reported and edited for The Sydney Morning Herald, The Age, WAToday, Brisbane Times, The Australian Financial Review, News.com.au, ZDNet, TelecomTimes and iTnews, primarily on the topic of technology. He previously hosted The Informer, a queer current affairs program on Melbourne’s JOY 94.9 radio station, and contributes to LGBTQIA+ media including Stun Magazine. Ben has also appeared as a technology commentator on Channel Ten's The Project, ABC RN’s Download This Show and commercial radio stations 2UE, 2GB and 6PR. Contact Ben: ben.grubb@gaysydneynews.com.au
