Police enforcement in terms of drugs and narcotics at the Lost & Found festival was “strict”, with both plain clothed and uniformed officers being present throughout the event, Tourism Minister Konrad Mizzi told The Malta Independent on Tuesday. 

The minister however, refrained from speaking about enforcement in terms of the clothing – or lack thereof – of some of the partygoers.

The Lost & Found festival brought together a number of world-renowned musical performers at Cafe del Mar in Bugibba over a number of days, but drew controversy after a number of images of scantily-clad partygoers emerged.

As per Malta’s Criminal Code, a person cannot in port areas, in areas close to the sea or in public spaces strip naked or be dressed indecently. 

Asked about enforcement measures taken in this regard however, Konrad Mizzi, while able to specifically speak about the police’s enforcement on drugs at the festival, said that it should be noted that the pictures on social media, some of which he himself had seen, were taken close to a beach facility – the lido where it was organised.

“I am not saying that it is good or bad; laws have to be enforced and we always have to learn for future events”, Mizzi continued.

Pushed on enforcement in this matter, Mizzi said; “I am not going to stay delving into individual cases; I do not know per se what is against the law and what is not as I do not know what pictures you are referring to”. 

The Tourism Minister added that what he could say however, was that the event had brought 10,000 tourists who had spent along the lines of €8 million, and the “absolute majority” of them were well-behaved and adhered to “good standards”.

The police are yet to reply to questions sent.