ESSEX Police have arrested a total of 51 people on suspicion of drug offences at V Festival in Chelmsford.

They say the arrests are the result of pro-active drug operations at Hylands Park, where the music festival is taking place.

A total of 15 people have been arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply, 22 have been arrested on suspicion of possession offences and 14 have been arrested on suspicion of supply offences.

Five people have been charged, five issued cannabis warnings and 13 have been given cautions.

No further action has been taken against two of those arrested. The remainder have either been released on bail pending further enquiries until dates in October and November 2012 or are still to be dealt with.

James Beachey, 27, from Brighton has been charged with possession with intent to supply class A drugs (cocaine) and supplying a class A drug. He has been remanded in custody to appear at Southend Magistrates’ Court on the morning of Monday, August 20.

Leon McFarlane, 30, of Sawyers Close, Windsor has been charged with possession of a class A drug and remanded in custody to appear before magistrates in Chelmsford on Monday, August 20.

A 17-year-old boy from Woking in Surrey has been charged with possession of a class B drug (cannabis) and has been bailed to appear at Chelmsford Youth Court on Friday, September 7.

A 25-year-old man from Clacton has been charged with possession of controlled class B drug (cannabis) and bailed to appear at Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court on the morning on Wednesday, September 5.

Another 25-year-old man, Jaymit Amin of Upminster Road South in Rainham, Essex has been charged with possession of controlled class B drug (cannabis) and bailed to appear at Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court on morning of Monday, August 20.