Ex-councillor’s son Cameron Craig Sundstrom avoids jail over $270k in illegal cash

A man facing jail after being nicked with $270k in illegal cash, 5.7g of cannabis and one 9mm round for a Luger pistol has been granted a temporary reprieve on his birthday. Find out why.

Cameron Craig Sundstrom, 27, of Green Point, arriving at Gosford District Court after pleading guilty to dealing with more than a quarter of a million dollars in proceeds of crime. Picture: NewsLocal

The son of a former Labor councillor has avoided jail after a Judge found he should be sentenced for dealing with $270k in illegal cash after he faces trial for an even more serious offence.

Cameron Craig Sundstrom, of Erina, faced Gosford District Court on his 27th birthday on Tuesday after pleading guilty to knowingly dealing with the proceeds of crime, possessing a prohibited drug and possessing ammunition without a permit.

His lawyer Ahmed Dib sought an intensive correction order (ICO) for Sundstrom, who the court heard had served seven months in custody before getting bail to attend a residential rehabilitation program.

An ICO is considered by the courts as the equivalent of a custodial sentence but served in the community.

However Judge Tanya Bright said the “sheer amount” of money involved meant it warranted no other penalty than full time custody.

Former Labor NSW Election candidate Jeff Sundstrom (left) and his son Cameron Craig Sundstrom, 27, who has pleaded guilty to dealing with proceeds of crime. Picture: Facebook

She indicated the starting term for Sundstrom’s sentence would be at least two years, regardless of any time already served, which would further mean an ICO would be unavailable to him.

Mr Dib, who was appearing via video link, said he wanted to call his client to give evidence about his “quasi-custody” time in rehabilitation but Sundstrom only wanted to be questioned “in person”.

Sundstrom spent a large chunk of his 27th birthday at Gosford District Court where he was facing sentence for dealing with proceeds of crime. Picture: NewsLocal

Judge Bright said she was going to give judgement the next day until she discovered Sundstrom was also on bail awaiting trial for a related charge of dealing with a large commercial quantity of drugs.

As a result she said it was “very unusual” for him to be sentenced until the conclusion of his trial because the outcome of those proceedings would influence his sentence in these matters.

She continued Sundstrom's bail and adjourned both matters to a “non-priority” trial date on September 15.

She said if the trial did not proceed on that occasion it was listed as a priority on February 9 next year with an estimate of seven to 10 days.

Former local councillor and Labor NSW Election candidate Jeff Sundstrom (left) supported his son Cameron in court. Picture: Facebook

Sundstrom, the son of former Central Coast councillor and NSW Labor election candidate Jeff Sundstrom, was charged after sheriffs officers were conducting an eviction at an apartment on Terry Rd, at Rouse Hill, in February 2023 when they stumbled onto an alleged clandestine laboratory.

Police were called and seized 1.047kg of cocaine, which they allege was in Sundstrom’s possession.

His dad Jeff Sundstrom is not charged with any offences and there is no suggestion he has done anything wrong.

According to the agreed facts provided to the court during today’s hearing, six months later police had Cameron Sundstrom under surveillance and tracked him driving his 2017 Toyota Corolla all the way to Queensland on August 23, 2023.

The following day Sundstrom drove all the way back and was pulled over about 7pm on the Pacific Highway, near Burns Rd, at Ourimbah, the agreed facts state.

A detective introduced himself and said “mate, we are going to search your vehicle so tell me where the stuff is now” to which Sundstrom replied “back seat”.

The agreed facts further state that on the back seat police found $270,250 in cash.

Police further searched the car and the court documents say they found a single 9mm round of ammunition for a Luger firearm, 5.7g of cannabis and several mobile phones.