Dan Tehan’s nephew Thomas Cameron pleads guilty to trafficking a drug of dependence

A former VFL player and nephew of Liberal MP Dan Tehan has pleaded guilty to drugs charges but his lawyer argued the offending was a “sad case of someone being used”.

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” – claims he was “used” by criminals to mail a parcel containing almost a kilo of ecstasy.

Thomas Cameron, 27, the nephew of Liberal MP Dan Tehan, fronted the County Court on Wednesday where he admitted to trafficking 895g of MDMA on July 11, 2023.

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.

Prosecutor Elle Adamms told the court 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.

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

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 being linked back to him.

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

“It was a very large amount of drugs,” Ms Adamms said.

“It would have otherwise reached the community if not for the intervention of authorities.”

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

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

“He’s been used by others for minimal reward … in circumstances where he’s vulnerable,” he said.

No details of the intended recipient of the parcel were aired in court.

The court heard Cameron did not stand to be paid for mailing the package, but was told he could be supplied with ketamine for his own personal use.

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

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

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

Dressed in a suit with his blonde hair pulled back into a bun, Cameron sat in the dock during the plea hearing, supported in court by a dozen loved ones.

Mr Dann told the court Cameron was raised in Toorak, attended Melbourne Grammar and was a member of a “wide family who have been outstanding contributors to the community”.

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.

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

Mr Dann told the court his client lost a close friend in a car crash during Year 12 and developed a “drug habit”, derailing his dreams to one day play football at the highest level.

“Although he was trying to excel at AFL and carve out a career for himself, he was not able to rid himself of those demons,” he said.

Mr Dann argued Judge Gavan Meredith should grant Cameron a degree of “mercy”, given his “genuine remorse”, lack of prior convictions, “outstanding prospects” of rehabilitation, family support and the 35 days he spent in custody prior to being bailed.

The court heard he participated in an Arrow Health drug rehabilitation program and has stayed clean of drugs.

“We say he hasn’t put a foot wrong,” Mr Dann said, noting he was months away from completing his degree in property valuation.

He proposed his client be sentenced to a term of imprisonment – but immediately released on a recognisance order – and handed a lengthy community corrections order.

But Ms Adamms said the prosecution was “at odds” with that sentence, noting drug trafficking was an “inherently serious offence”.

Cameron will be sentenced next Thursday.

Originally published as Dan Tehan’s nephew Thomas Cameron pleads guilty to trafficking a drug of dependence