$80K Ecstasy Bust at
Gay Mardi Gras

A 22-year-old man was arrested Wednesday at a McDonald's in Sydney, Australia, after a police investigation that resulted in the seizure of thousands of ecstasy tablets.

Ryan Kirkbride was arrested after a four-month investigation that culminated before Sydney's Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, according to Australia's Daily Telegraph. Police confiscated about 2,000 tablets, worth about $80,000 in street value.

The tablets were probably headed for this weekend's Mardi Gras festivities, police said.

"The disruption of this drug supply chain has put a dent into the market, and it will reduce the amount of drugs available," local police assistant commissioner Catherine Burn told the Telegraph. "It's essential that people understand we are going to target drug crime up to and including the Mardi Gras parade."

Kirkbride is accused of selling a large amount of ecstasy to an undercover police officer several times. Kirkbride, police said, then set up a sale of another 2,000 pills to the officer, scheduled for the night of the arrest, after which police found more pills in Kirkbride's car.

Police also raided his home in Wentworthville on Wednesday night.