Forestry Service officers entered the supply parking area at approximately 2:37 a.m., shining flashlights into vehicle windows and waking people who were sleeping in their cars, according to an eyewitness. Officers reported seeing something through the window of one vehicle and subsequently detained the vehicle’s owner while conducting a search. The vehicle owner was not arrested but was temporarily detained during the search, according to a source.

Three tickets were issued in connection with the incident, including citations related to alleged possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, and interfering with a forest officer.

According to information provided, law enforcement remained on scene until approximately 3:16 a.m.

In addition to the vehicle search, it was alleged that officers have entered gathering areas on multiple occasions and removed flagging tape used by participants to mark trails through the forest.

Gathering participants have viewed the removal of the tape as an effort to slow or interfere with the creation of clearly marked walking paths within the gathering area.

It was noted that older flagging tape believed to have been left by hunters was reportedly still visible in parts of the forest when Gathering participants arrived, leading some attendees to question why gathering trail markers were being removed.

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