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Smuggling claims spark airport review call

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There are calls for a review of airport security following reports of criminal activity.
Camera IconThere are calls for a review of airport security following reports of criminal activity. Credit: AAP

Alleged drug smuggling by criminals who are reportedly infiltrating Australian airlines and airports has prompted federal Labor to call for an urgent security review.

Crime-fighting agencies believe bikie gang members and other crooks pose "a very high threat to the Australian border", Nine newspapers and 60 Minutes reported overnight.

The allegations include that a Comanchero bikie gang affiliate is working as a Qantas manager at Sydney Airport, recruiting criminals to help import narcotics.

"Given we follow all of the government's vetting procedures, we find these claims disturbing," Qantas chief security officer Luke Bramah told Nine, adding that the airline hadn't been made aware of any investigations of employees linked to organised crime.

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Following the reports, Labor highlighted that it had been 15 years since a review of airport security.

"It is highly disturbing that the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission ... has revealed ... federal law enforcement officials and dozens of Qantas employees might be facilitating the entry of drugs into Australia," Labor spokeswomen Kristina Keneally and Catherine King said in a joint statement.

"The combination of these revelations and the challenges of COVID-19 mean that it's now time for a new independent review.

"Since the pandemic began confusion has reigned at our airports, as different bureaucracies have pointed the finger at each other when things have gone wrong."

Labor wants an independent review of security at Australia's international airports.

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