Suspect arrested in connection with drugging at Montreal music festival

A Montreal police shoulder patch is seen on an officer in Montreal, Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024. (Christinne Muschi/The Canadian Press)

A suspect has been arrested in connection with the drugging of at least six people at Montreal’s ÎleSoniq festival in August, Noovo Info has learned.

According to information from police, the victims were allegedly injected while they were in the crowd.

Montreal police (SPVM) confirmed Tuesday afternoon that a man had been apprehended recently, following an investigation that began on Aug. 15.

“All of the victims reported feeling a sharp sting in the back while they were in the crowd. Some of the victims, both women and men, subsequently felt dizzy,” police said.

The drugging via injection was not limited to ÎleSoniq.

Noovo Info also reports that a young woman was allegedly drugged without her knowledge in St-Tite, Que. last Saturday.

The woman, who was hospitalized, is convinced she was pricked in the back while walking through the crowd at a Western festival. She shared her story on social media.

Thankfully her friend’s quick intervention prevented the worst from happening.

Quebec provincial police (SQ) arrested a man in early September after several festival-goers claimed to have been pricked by needles.

According to the SQ’s Beauce-Centre investigation unit, the alleged offenses took place between August 29 and 30, approximately 75 kilometers south of Quebec City, where the Festival des Travailleurs Structures de Saint-Joseph and the Accélération de camions Saint-Joseph (truck pulling and acceleration competition) were being held.

The suspect is a man in his twenties from Saint-Joseph, who was released on a promise to appear in court.