The Reporter newspaper, Camdenton Missouri

The Reporter covers Miller, Morgan and Camden County in Central Missouri's Lake of the Ozarks and is published once per week on Wednesdays.

Published September 2, 2026

Over 700 pounds of drugs seized during event

CAMDEN COUNTY – More information has been released regarding the drug busts associated with the multi-day Juggalo event held in Macks Creek.

“Juggalo” refers to a fan of the hip hop duo Insane Clown Posse. Originating from Detroit, Michigan, the term has grown to represent a larger subculture. Juggalos are recognizable by their distinctive face paint, resembling clowns and often wear specific insignia.

They gather annually at the Gathering of the Juggalos, a festival celebrating their favorite music, brotherhood and distinct identity.

Camden County Sheriff Chris Edgar announced preliminary results from the Camden County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) response to the Gathering of the Juggalos at Mother Nature’s Riverfront Retreat.

CCSO 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.

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

More than a dozen CCSO 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.”

Edgar emphasized that these figures are preliminary results and additional information may become available as investigations and case reviews continue.

Edgar said that the CCSO 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.