Politie Slaps Over €30,000 in Shocking Drug Fines at Vilvoorde Horst Festival

Politie legt meer dan €30.000 boetes op voor drugs op Vilvoorde Horst Festival

During the 3-day festival attracting 39,000 visitors, police intensified drug checks, deploying 55 officers and a drone for the first time, catching 123 offenders.

Marie Dupont5 May 2025Last Update : 3 weeks ago

Politie schrijft voor meer dan 30.000 euro boetes uit voor drugsgebruik en -bezit op Horst Festival in Vilvoorde

www.vrt.be

The recent 3-day festival in Belgium attracted a crowd of 39,000 visitors, with police heavily focusing on controlling drug use and possession throughout the event. On 2025-05-05 16:32:00, authorities revealed the extensive measures taken to ensure safety and compliance. For the first time, a drone was deployed to monitor the festival grounds from above, marking a new era in crowd surveillance and law enforcement during large gatherings.

6 Key Takeaways

Police intensified drug checks during festival
55 officers deployed for security control
Drone used for aerial surveillance first time
On-site police station handled immediate fines
123 attendees caught with drugs fined
Collected fines totaled 30,525 euros

Police presence was strong, with 55 officers assigned to the event. A fully equipped police station was set up on-site, allowing immediate handling of offenses through the OMS procedure (immediate amicable settlement). Despite calls for attendees to leave drugs at home, 123 festivalgoers were caught with illegal substances and fined on the spot. The total fines collected amounted to €30,525, highlighting the strict enforcement policy.

How effective are these measures in deterring drug use at festivals? And could this approach become the new standard for event security in Belgium? Let’s explore the key outcomes and implications.

Fast Answer: Belgian police’s robust anti-drug efforts at a major festival led to 123 drug-related fines and over €30,000 collected, using new drone surveillance and on-site enforcement on 2025-05-05 16:32:00.

The festival’s law enforcement strategy raises important questions about balancing safety and freedom. Is the heavy police presence a deterrent or an inconvenience for festivalgoers? The use of drones introduces new technology but also privacy concerns. Key points include:

Deployment of 55 officers and a drone for aerial surveillance
On-site police station enabling swift processing of offenses
123 individuals fined for drug possession, reflecting strict enforcement
Over €30,000 collected in fines, demonstrating the financial impact

This event highlights Belgium’s evolving approach to festival security, combining technology and immediate legal action to maintain public order and safety.

Looking ahead, will these methods become standard practice at Belgian festivals? Organizers and attendees alike should prepare for continued rigorous enforcement and consider how to balance enjoyment with compliance. Staying informed and responsible remains key to a safe festival experience.