CAMDEN COUNTY, MO. - Law enforcement announced preliminary results from the Camden County Sheriff's Office response to the Gathering of the Juggalos at Mother Nature's Riverfront Retreat last week, according to Sheriff Chris Edgar.
From August 16 through August 22, Camden County Sheriff's deputies conducted 305 traffic stops, completed approximately 12 K9 deployments, and responded to 80 additional calls for service in the Roach and Macks Creek areas. These calls occurred primarily in the immediate vicinity of State Routes U and J, Whistle Road, and Tunnel Dam Road.
Deputies handled a wide variety of calls for service during the event, including five assault cases, six fraud cases, 13 careless and imprudent driving complaints, as well as reports involving stealing, property damage, disturbances, and other offenses.
As a result of enforcement efforts, deputies seized more than 700 pounds of illegal drugs and other controlled substances, including:
- 288.5 pounds of psilocybin mushrooms
- 242.5 pounds of marijuana
- 33.5 grams of powdered cocaine
- 1 gram of crack cocaine
- 1.5 grams of methamphetamine
- 5 tabs of MDMA
- 2.5 grams of DMT powder
- 0.25 ounce of DMT oil
- 135.5 grams of ketamine
- 33 grams of ketamine/fentanyl
- 2.5 grams of unknown substances
- 28 items of drug paraphernalia
Camden County Sheriff's deputies worked closely throughout the event with the Missouri State Highway Patrol, Mid Missouri Drug Task Force, Missouri Department of Conservation, Mercy Ambulance, Southwest Camden County Fire Protection District, and Mid County Fire Protection District. The coordinated effort involved law enforcement, emergency medical services, fire personnel, communications officers, detention staff, and command personnel working together to maintain public safety throughout the event.
More than a dozen Camden County Sheriff's deputies worked the event throughout the week, serving eight- or twelve-hour shifts for a combined total of more than 550 man-hours. That figure does not include the additional hours worked by communications officers, detention officers, command staff, or personnel from the assisting agencies.
"The Gathering of the Juggalos was an enormous undertaking from a public safety standpoint, and the success of this operation was the result of tremendous cooperation among all of our public safety partners," Sheriff Chris Edgar said. "I am extremely proud of the dedication and professionalism demonstrated by our deputies and grateful to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, Mid Missouri Drug Task Force, Missouri Department of Conservation, Mercy Ambulance, Southwest Camden County Fire Protection District, Mid County Fire Protection District, and everyone else who worked alongside us throughout the event."
Sheriff Edgar emphasized that these figures are preliminary results, and additional information may become available as investigations and case reviews continue.
The Camden County Sheriff's Office remains committed to protecting the residents, visitors, and communities of Camden County while working collaboratively with its public safety partners to ensure safe and successful operations during large-scale events.