Dan Tehan’s nephew, Thomas Cameron, learns sentence after trafficking a drug of dependence

A former VFL player and nephew of Liberal MP Dan Tehan has walked free from court after admitting to mailing a parcel containing almost a kilo of ecstasy.

Thomas Cameron, nephew of federal Liberal MP Dan Tehan, outside the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court last year. Picture: Ian Currie

The nephew of a federal MP – who once urged his constituents to “dob in a dealer” – has walked free from court after admitting to mailing a parcel containing almost a kilo of ecstasy.

Thomas Cameron, 27, the nephew of Liberal MP Dan Tehan, was sentenced in the County Court on Thursday to 12 months’ jail and a two-year community corrections order.

But the Portsea man, who pleaded guilty to drug trafficking, was immediately released on a recognisance order, meaning he will avoid jail if he remains of good behaviour for two years.

“You do need to understand that if you commit further offending the likelihood of you remaining out of prison appears to me to be remote,” Judge Gavan Meredith said.

“In a sense, you hold the keys to your own prison cell.”

Federal MP Dan Tehan has previously urged his constituents to ‘dob in a dealer’. Picture: Martin Ollman

The Herald Sun revealed Cameron, then a high-profile footballer with VFL club Port Melbourne, was charged in September 2023 following a police sting cracking down on drugs being distributed via Australia Post.

He last week admitted to trafficking 895g of MDMA on July 11, 2023, after an “opportunity arose” to feed his drug habit.

Cameron was captured on CCTV footage entering an East Richmond post office at 3.48pm on July 11 to purchase an express post parcel with cash.

He then drove his white Audi to his Armadale apartment before he re-emerged wearing new clothes and carrying the “bulky” parcel.

Minutes later, he was caught on CCTV footage mailing the parcel at a Chapel St post box in Prahran at 4.47pm, using the sleeves of his hoodie to prevent it from being linked back to him.

The court heard Taskforce Icarus detectives raided his Armadale apartment on September 11 after intercepting and analysing the parcel.

Detectives found small amounts of various drugs in his bedroom and inside a safe, including cocaine, ecstasy, ketamine and unknown white powders.

He spent 35 days in custody prior to being bailed on October 16.

Cameron was playing for VFL club Port Melbourne when he was charged.

His high-profile defence barrister Dermot Dann KC told the court last week this was a “sad case of someone being used for a day to facilitate the movement of drugs”.

The court heard it was one of Cameron’s friends who offered him the “opportunity” in exchange for a supply of ketamine.

“I am dealing with a first offender who, in the midst of sustained drug abuse, posted an envelope in the expectation of receiving drugs for his own personal use as a reward,” Judge Meredith said.

“The efforts which you’ve made at rehabilitating yourself are very impressive.

“If I were to send you back to prison, I accept they would be jeopardised.”

He said Cameron came from a “background of privilege and financial security” and had hoped to pursue a professional AFL career.

But after losing a close friend in a car crash during year 12, he started abusing drugs.

“You report spending up to $2000 a week on drugs,” Judge Meredith said.

Cameron’s defence barrister Dermot Dann KC says the case was a ‘sad case of someone being used’. Picture: Luis Enrique Ascui

The court heard Cameron works at a wellness centre and gym on the Mornington Peninsula, has committed himself to a “drug-free life” and now educates others about the “scourge of drug abuse”, having successfully participated in an Arrow Health drug rehabilitation program.

He had faced 11 charges, including a more serious charge of trafficking a commercial quantity of MDMA, but the prosecution conceded it could not prove Cameron knew he was trafficking a commercial quantity.

He pleaded guilty last week to three charges, namely trafficking a drug of dependence, causing drugs to be carried by post and possessing a drug of dependence.

Cameron was ordered to complete 200 hours of unpaid work and participate, when required, in drug treament and mental health programs as part of his community corrections order.

He was also ordered to pay $3000 for the recognisance order, which may be forfeited if breaches the conditions.

He was convicted and fined $1000 over the drug possession.

Cameron was supported in court by loved ones, who shook hands and embraced after his sentence was handed down.

Mr Tehan represents the Victorian seat of Wannon. Picture: Martin Ollman

Cameron’s uncle, Mr Tehan, who represents the Victorian seat of Wannon, has campaigned against drug traffickers, urging his constituents in 2022 to “dob in a dealer”.

“Every dealer, no matter how large or small their enterprise is connected to organised crime,” he said, when announcing funding to Crimestoppers’ Dob-in-a-Dealer campaign.

Mr Tehan previously told the Herald Sun his nephew had been facing mental health challenges for a “number of years”.

“Our whole family is providing him with love and support at this difficult time,” he said.

Originally published as Dan Tehan’s nephew, Thomas Cameron, learns sentence after trafficking a drug of dependence