The Australian Crime Commission – currently embroiled in the drugs in sport saga – is battling soaring numbers of staff risking investigations by misplacing classified documents, identification, secure laptops and other equipment.

The blunders included security drawers being left unlocked, keys left in secure containers, contractors let into buildings unchecked and “highly protected” ACC documents left in recycling bins.

In one breach at a Canberra bar fittingly called Debacle, a group of ACC officers last year pulled out classified documents – marked “Protected” and used to brief ACC Chief Executive John Lawler – to discuss in the open among fellow drinkers.

The secretive ACC recorded 98 security breaches by staff across the country last year—up from 25 the previous year.