Creamfields security guards opened Strongbow Dark Fruit cans and were shocked at what was inside

Two men have been jailed after they were caught trying to smuggle drugs into Creamfields festival by stashing them in a crate of Strongbow Dark Fruit cider.

James Jones and Andrew Rankin stashed the £13,000 worth of MDMA and ketamine into five empty cans of cider, Cheshire Live reports. But the pair, now both 25, were stopped by sniffer dogs as they entered the music festival on August 25, 2022.

Cheshire Police said the dogs gave a 'positive indication' to drugs. Jones and Rankin admitted carrying drugs into the Daresbury festival, but said they were carrying them for another person.

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They stated they did not know what the drugs were. A search was carried out and drugs were found in the crate of Strongbow Dark Fruit, inside five cans that had been 'tampered' with.

The pair were arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply drugs. The men were released under investigation while tests were carried out on the drugs.

Once tests revealed the stash was MDMA and ketamine, with an estimated street value of more than £13,000, Jones and Rankin were charged with drug offences in December 2023. In February 2024, both pleaded guilty.

On March 12, Jones, of Arklay Street, Dundee, and Rankin, Wishhart Place, Dundee, were sentenced at Chester Crown Court. Both were jailed for three years for possession with intent to supply MDMA and ketamine.

Following the sentencing, DC Neil Fleming said: "I hope these sentences send a stark warning to those who think they can travel to Cheshire and commit these types of offences you will be prosecuted and held accountable for your actions. Jones and Rankin would have had multiple opportunities to