An organised crime syndicate exploited serious security failures at major domestic airports to fly more than two tonnes of cannabis on domestic flights bound for Brisbane. Police allege that since November, a cashed-up crime gang packed about 22 kg of cannabis into everyday baggage before boarding about 40 flights from Victoria to Brisbane.

The shocking breach was eventually detected by the Queensland Police Service’s anti-bikie squad, which smashed the dope ring with the National Anti-Gang Squad.

It comes eight years after whistleblower Allan Kessing revealed shocking details about drug smuggling at Sydney airport – prompting the then Howard government to spend $200 million in beefing up the police and customs presence at airports. Kessing was later charged for leaking information.