Wyong: Tobacconist owner Sam Collison Stretton stopped with $600k cash, machetes

A tobacco tsar allegedly stopped with $600,000 cash and two machetes has been banned from going on a first-class holiday to Greece after a magistrate ruled he was too much of a flight risk.

Tobacco shop owner Sam Collison Stretton, 25, of Booker Bay, has been charged with recklessly dealing with proceeds of crime after police allegedly found him with $600,000 cash. Picture: NewsLocal

A tobacco tsar stopped with more than $600,000 cash, two machetes and a set of knuckle dusters has been grounded after a magistrate found he was too much of a flight risk given he clearly had access to “vast amounts of money”.

Sam Collison Stretton, of Booker Bay, faced Wyong Local Court on Wednesday charged with recklessly dealing with the proceeds of crime, possessing a prohibited weapon and custody of a knife in public.

The 25-year-old’s solicitor applied to vary his client’s bail so he could travel to Greece to celebrate his and his brother’s birthday.

Mr Stretton’s solicitor provided copies of two pre-purchased tickets for return first and business class flights to Athens, via Doha, for Mr Stretton and his girlfriend. Mr Stretton’s girlfriend is not accused of any wrongdoing.

He told the court the tickets were purchased before Mr Stretton was stopped and later charged by police.

The court heard Mr Stretton had two lots of first and business class tickets worth $18,747 each for a prearranged trip to Greece. Picture: file

He said Mr Stretton was born and raised in Australia, did not have a dual citizenship and an acceptable person had already posted $100,000 surety when he first granted bail.

“He will plead not guilty,” his lawyer said.

The court heard Mr Stretton had 15 tobacconist shops. Picture: iStock

“He has no reason not to return when there’s a lot of money at stake. He has not missed any reporting [to police] and there will be a defence available, of legitimate reason.”

Giving evidence in his bail application Mr Stretton told the court he owned a removalist business for about a year as well as having a financial and management interest in 15 tobacconist shops he owned with his brother in NSW and Queensland.

Mr Stretton told the court he had lived on the Central Coast for about five years and his shops, including Central Coast Tobacconist 1 and 2 at nearby Alison Rd and Cutler Drive, generated about $5000-$10,000 a week with up to half of that being “cash”.

The police prosecutor conceded Mr Stretton appeared to have business interests which could generate substantial amounts of money and potentially explain why he was allegedly found with so much cash.

CC Tobacconist 2 shop on Alison Rd, Wyong, which Sam Collison Stretton said he and his brother owned. Mr Stretton has been charged with recklessly dealing with proceeds of crime after police allegedly found him with $600,000 cash. Picture: NewsLocal

The prosecutor also said Mr Stretton had no prior convictions and as such, even if he was convicted of these allegations, he might not receive a sentence of full-time incarceration.

However he said police still opposed bail because he was a “flight risk”.

Magistrate Robyn Richardson said the police facts allege Mr Stretton was stopped in a rented Hyundai Tucson about 9pm on Friday, August 16, with $660,640 cash in a Nike duffel bag.

She said police further allege officers also seized “two large machetes” next to the bag as well as a set of knuckle dusters.

Ms Richardson said when asked about the rented car Mr Stretton told officers his “Lamborghini was not available” to him at the time.

She said his criminal record states Mr Stretton had previously been charged with possessing a prohibited drug and driving while suspended but those matters were finalised without convictions being recorded.

Ms Richardson also said the two first and business class flights were valued at $18,747 each, or more than $37,000, which the average person would find “very expensive” for a 10-day holiday.

She said it was a “very strong prosecution case” and that it was clear he had access to “vast amounts of cash” which meant not only could he flee the jurisdiction he could “support himself” as well.

She declined the bail variation and adjourned his matter to September 17 where he will be required to enter pleas.