More Than 700 Pounds Of Drugs Seized At Gathering Of The Juggalos In Camden County

CAMDEN COUNTY, Mo. — More than 700 pounds of drugs were seized during the Gathering of the Juggalos event at Mother Nature’s Riverfront Retreat last week, authorities say. The most-seized drug, by weight? Psylocibin mushrooms.

The event brings together members of a subculture that centers on the "horrorcore" band Insane Clown Posse. Gatherings are infamous for drug use and sometimes even injuries.

Camden County Sheriff’s deputies say they worked 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.

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 area; authorities say those calls occurred primarily in the immediate vicinity of State Routes U and J, Whistle Road, and Tunnel Dam Road.

Calls for service during the event included:

• 5 assault cases

• 6 fraud cases

• 13 careless and imprudent driving complaints

• and other reports involving stealing, property damage, disturbances, and other offenses.

Deputies say they 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

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. The sheriff's office said that is in addition to the 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.