First man sentenced under Qld VLAD laws

A man involved in a multimillion-dollar cannabis syndicate has become the first person to be sentenced under Queensland's controversial Vicious Lawless Association Disestablishment laws.

Joshua Robin Rohl, 31, was sentenced on Wednesday to five years' jail, suspended after 18 months, after pleading guilty in the Brisbane Supreme Court to a string of drug offences.

Many of the offences fall under the state's tough Vicious Lawless Association Disestablishment Act, which was introduced to target motorcycle gang members, but also applies to criminal groups.

The court heard Rohl was part of a syndicate that couriered massive amounts of cannabis from Melbourne to Brisbane in 2013 and 2014.

The drugs were hidden in small vacuum-sealed bags in checked luggage.

Once they were repackaged at a site on the Gold Coast, the drugs were onsold around Queensland.

Rohl was given a reduced sentence for co-operating with police.

Former attorney-general Jarrod Bleijie, the architect of the controversial laws, said Rohl's conviction proved the legislation was a success.

"What we've seen today is the laws clearly work," Mr Bleijie told parliament.

"I feel confident kids in Queensland can sleep tonight knowing this man is behind bars for a long period of time."