AN alert security guard caught a festivalgoer in the act after hearing nitrous oxide being ‘cracked’ in a tent.

In the early hours of Friday, August 26, 2022, security officers were on patrol at Creamfields electronic dance music festival in Daresbury.

While at the gold campsite, one heard the sound of a nitrous oxide canister being degassed from one of the tents.

Upon opening the tent, security officers found Luke Moran with another man and two women, surrounded by numerous nitrous oxide canisters.

A subsequent search of the tent was conducted, and the security officers found three small bags containing varying quantities of white powder.

The security team also witnessed Moran dropping a large clear bag containing several smaller bags with white powder inside.

Further bags containing white and brown substances were found within a pair of trainers next to the 27-year-old’s tent.

Following the search, Moran attempted to flee, but he was quickly stopped by security.

He and the other tent occupants were escorted to an eviction hut on the site, where Cheshire Police officers were waiting to search him.

Officers found a pack of snap bags containing white powder that was concealed in his tracksuit waistband, and a further pack containing bags of white powder being produced from his boxer shorts.

Moreover, £645 in cash was recovered from his wallet and rucksack.

As a result of the find, Moran was arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply controlled drugs.

He was taken to Runcorn custody suite where he was interviewed by officers, answering ‘no comment’ to all questions posed to him.

Despite this, Moran, of Connington Avenue in Manchester, was charged and ordered to appear at Chester Crown Court.

Having pleaded guilty to possession with intent to supply cocaine and ketamine, and attempted possession with intent to supply class B drugs, he was jailed for 30 months.

Following his sentencing, DC Neil Fleming said: “Every year, we and the Creamfields events and security teams do our utmost to ensure that everyone attending the festival can have a safe and enjoyable time, and for the most part festivalgoers have respected the laws.

“Moran will have no doubt been aware of these laws and the restrictions at Creamfields, and he would have had ample opportunity to re-think his actions before it was too late, with amnesty bins and surrender points placed at all festival entries.

“But he decided to run the risk – which did not pay off.

“Anyone who, like Moran, decides to risk bringing illegal drugs into Cheshire should seriously reconsider their choices.

“We will always take swift and robust action, and they will be dealt with through the full extent of the law.”