Howard County Police made a total of 21 drug- and alcohol-related arrests at two Phish concerts this past weekend at Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia, seizing three vehicles containing drugs and more than $10,000 in cash.
The concert has been a site for increased drug activity in the past. County police collaborated with Merriweather, providing extra forces — including officers from special operations and vice and narcotics — to supplement the venue's security.
"We do work closely with Merriweather to ensure that we're able to keep order for all the concerts, this concert in particular," said Officer Sherry Llewellyn, a police spokeswoman.
The concert drew about 19,000 people on Saturday and 15,000 on Sunday. The police specifically allocated extra forces to ensure order at this event.
A majority of the 21 people arrested are not Maryland residents. However, six people from the Baltimore area were arrested and charged:
•Adam Drew Kandel, 29, of Baltimore, with possession with intent to distribute, drug distribution and drug possession. His Toyota truck was also seized by police.
•Brittani Nicole Cawley, 21, of Cockeysville, with possession with intent to distribute and drug distribution.
•Benjamin Kahl Derose, 23, of Street, with possession with intent to distribute and drug possession.
•Brian Charles Lanasa, 25, of Parkville, with possession with intent to distribute and drug possession.
•Lloyd Hasan Wilson, 30, of Easton, with three counts of drug possession.
•William Christopher Schools, 28, of Ellicott City, with trespassing.
According to Llewellyn, this number of arrests at a Phish concert is not out of place.
"We were about this number last year. This was not an unusual number of arrests at all," she said.