2 days ago
Montreal police investigating after reports of needle intoxications at îLESONIQ
Montreal police are investigating after people reported being pricked, possibly by needles, during îLESONIQ, an electronic dance music festival.
In a media release on Friday, police said they had received six reports of people, both women and men, who said they felt a sharp sting while they were in the crowd during the nights of Aug. 9 and 10.
Some of the victims reported feeling dizzy after being pricked.
"At this stage, it is premature to provide additional details about the ongoing investigation or to confirm whether the reported events are related," the police media release said.
Following the festival, some festivalgoers took to social media, saying they suspected they had been pricked.
CBC reached out to the Montreal police force earlier this week to inquire about the îLESONIQ incidents.
In response to our query, a police spokesperson shared details of one police report involving a 22-year-old woman who told officers she felt a pinch while standing near one of the stages on Aug. 9.
She reported feeling dizzy but declined going to the hospital, preferring to return to the festival, according to police.
Similar reports emerged earlier this summer following two other Quebec festivals.
Provincial police began investigating reports of possible needle prickings at the Festival de Country de Labreque and the Festival de Gourgane d'Albanel in the Saguenay region.
The festivals happened from July 3 to 6, and July 24 to 27, respectively. Several young women reported having been injected with GHB, a date rape drug, during the festivals, Radio-Canada reported.
A Sureté du Quebec spokesperson said these investigations into the incidents were still ongoing, but that no intoxications have been confirmed.
CBC reached out to îLESONIQ for comment earlier this week.
In an emailed statement on Friday, a spokesperson for Evenko, the event promoter behind îLESONIQ, said it was "taking the incidents very seriously."
"Our teams work closely with the police, on-site medical staff, and a dedicated prevention group to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone," the spokesperson wrote.
