A drug-trafficking syndicate exploited flaws in domestic airport security to smuggle millions of dollars worth of drugs from Victoria to Queensland, police allege.
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The syndicate was one of two alleged Gold Coast-based smuggling rings shut down on Tuesday and Wednesday, following a five-month joint investigation carried out by Queensland, Victorian and Australian Federal Police.
Both syndicates were accused of trafficking cannabis around southeast Queensland, but operated independently of each other.
Police allege the first syndicate smuggled cannabis for two years, using drug mules carrying suitcases full of cannabis to make return trips between Victoria and Brisbane.
Taskforce Maxima boss Detective Superintendent Mick Niland said the syndicate had smuggled two tonnes, or $8 million worth, of the drug since November.
The police operation, codenamed Lima Wood, came to a head on Tuesday when a man was arrested at the Brisbane Airport carrying more than 40 kilograms of cannabis.
Meanwhile in Victoria, local police arrested an alleged contact of the syndicate who was armed with a loaded handgun and $250,000 in cash.
Superintendent Niland said there was no evidence that airport staff helped the alleged smugglers.
At two Gold Coast properties, police found $400,000 cash hidden in the walls, six luxury cars, confiscated guns, and found 23 kilograms of cannabis.
The car collection included a Lamborghini Diablo, a Ford Mustang and vintage Holdens.
Meanwhile, a large quantity of cannabis was seized from the second syndicate, which is accused of using buried shipping containers to secretly grow drugs.
“I think these raids alone have a big impact on the cannabis drug trade in Queensland in terms of getting drugs off the street,” Deputy Queensland Police Commissioner Brett Pointing said.
By Wednesday afternoon, 17 people had been charged following raids on 28 properties throughout Brisbane and the Gold Coast.
A combined total of $7 million of cash and property was seized, along with 85 kilograms of cannabis, police said.
Six of the people were charged under Queensland's Vicious Lawless Association Disestablishment laws, and consequently face an extra 15 years in jail on top of their drug trafficking sentences.
Police allege a 33-year-old man from Pimpama, the Gold Coast, is the principal office bearer of the first syndicate, which could mean his additional jail sentence under the VLAD laws will be increased to 25 years.
Use of the VLAD laws
Deputy Commissioner Pointing said it was the first time the VLAD laws had been used to target alleged criminals not linked with outlaw motorcycle gangs.
“I think early in the life of the legislation, there was a misconception that the VLAD only targeted motorcycle riders. It couldn't be further from the truth,” he said.
Attorney-General Jarrod Bleijie and Police Minister Jack Dempsey praised police for the arrests.
“This is exactly why the Vicious Lawless Association Disestablishment Bill was put in place, to go after not only criminal motorcycle gangs, but other criminal gangs in the underworld in Queensland,” Mr Bleijie said.
“I think it's a great effort by the police, working with other jurisdictions, and this is exactly what it was due to achieve.”
However, police conceded that none of the people charged across the two syndicates were accused of crimes relating to violence.
'$400,000 hidden in the walls'
Police raided two homes in Pimpama that were allegedly linked with the first syndicate. Australian Federal Police dogs were needed to sniff out cash that had been hidden in the walls. They also found 23 kilograms of cannabis.
Up to eight properties could also be seized by police, along with the six-car collection.
Valuers will now examine the cars to determine their authenticity and worth.
The second syndicate's elaborate drug growing setup included "cannabis bunkers" at two properties at Willow Vale, also on the Gold Coast.
Detective Inspector Terry Lawrence, who headed up the raids on the properties, said shipping containers were buried under a concrete slab, which had a shed built on top.
“There was a concealed entranceway in through the shed, down into the bunker area and then of course into the area where they were growing quality hydroponic cannabis,” he said.
“They were also very tightly-controlled in their operations in moving drugs throughout the greater southeast area and we believe the rest of Queensland.”
Inspector Lawrence said drug smuggling was the primary operation of both syndicates, but neither had flashed their wealth to draw attention to themselves.
with Amy Remeikis
