Centre Snort – Wimbledon rocked as investigators discover tennis match awash with cocaine
Daily Star Sunday investigators found evidence of cocaine use amongst punters at the world-famous tennis championships.
Wimbledon has been rocked by a drugs bombshell on the day of the showpiece men’s singles final.(Image: Alamy Stock Photo)
Wimbledon has been rocked by a drugs bombshell on the day of the showpiece men’s singles final.
Daily Star Sunday investigators found evidence of cocaine use amongst punters at the world-famous tennis championships.
Tests at the posh venue found that the chalk markings on the grass courts are not the only white lines at SW19.
Five toilet cubicles across the All England Lawn Tennis Club were tested for the presence of cocaine.
Shockingly, four returned a positive result. They included loos by Centre Court, Court Number One and the popular Henman Hill.
A source said: “Amongst the genuine tennis fans, the tournament does attract a lot of ‘Hooray Henry’ types who are there to be seen and for a good time.
“Like the Henley Regatta, many are just there for the Pimms and the sun. Some go too far with the booze and indulge in illegal substances.”
The cocaine swabs we used turn blue when the drug is detected on a surface.
While some showed only faint colouring, others had large bright blue patches. It meant they had picked up sizeable traces of cocaine – suggesting the use was recent.
The tests were carried out using Lupol Cocaine Detection Wipes. Bars and nightclubs use the “highly accurate” wipes to deter cocaine use.
Anyone bringing drugs into the grounds at Wimbledon runs a major risk of being caught as security is extremely tight.
There are multiple staff on every gate and rows of bag checkers at the bigger entrances.
Despite the checks, drug dealers are cashing in outside the event.
One told the Daily Star Sunday they deliver “big orders” worth at least £150 to customers heading inside. Possession of cocaine is punishable by up to seven years in jail.
Ticket prices at the iconic venue range from £21 for a ground pass to a whopping £350 for a Centre Court seat today.
Refreshments are not cheap, with a pint of Stella costing £8.95 and a Pimm’s £13.45.
For big spenders, a bottle of champagne starts at £98.
The Daily Star Sunday has contacted the AELTC for comment.
