Thomas Cameron, nephew of MP Dan Tehan, to stand trial on drug charges
The nephew of federal MP Dan Tehan — who campaigned on an anti-drugs platform — was allegedly caught on CCTV posting a parcel containing 895g of MDMA at a Prahran post box.
Police & Courts
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A compromising photograph of the nephew of anti-drugs campaigning federal MP Dan Tehan will form part of his drug trafficking case set for trial.
Thomas Cameron, 27, on Friday pleaded not guilty to a raft of drug charges, including that he trafficked almost 900g of MDMA through the postal system last July.
His high-profile barrister Dermot Dann argued in the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court that the case against Cameron, a former high profile VFL player for Port Melbourne, was “weak” given there was no phone or financial evidence linking him to the alleged crime.
However Magistrate Rohan Lawrence was not convinced, finding sufficient evidence for Cameron to stand trial at the County Court.
Cameron was allegedly caught on CCTV mailing a parcel containing 895g of MDMA at a Chapel St, Prahran post box on July 12, 2023.
The footage allegedly captured him using a hoodie to handle the parcel to avoid DNA transfer.
The court heard Taskforce Icarus detectives raided the man’s Armadale apartment, finding various drugs and three phones, one of which included an image of him next to a line of powdered drugs.
The court heard the photograph depicting Cameron and a “line of drugs on a kitchen counter, a bank card and $50 note” was taken two days before he allegedly trafficked the commercial quantity of MDMA.
“The photo demonstrates his involvement in drug use,” Detective Leading Senior Constable Zachary Smith said.
Mr Dann challenged the evidence of the prosecution case, arguing there were no phone messages, calls or payments linking his client to MDMA.
“There is no evidence as to how or when he came into possession of the drugs,” Mr Dann added.
Det Sen Con Smith conceded police found no relevant messages about the MDMA, pointing to the fact Cameron used encrypted technology capable of deleting messages after they are sent.
“The phone automatically deleted messages, like phones used by drug traffickers to destroy evidence,” he said.
Cameron’s uncle Mr Tehan last year campaigned against drug traffickers, urging his constituents to “dob in a dealer” to keep the community safe.
Cameron will stand trial on 10 charges, which include possessing ketamine and oxycodone.
A charge of dealing with the proceeds of crime was struck out.
Cameron’s bail was extended with conditions he continue to live at a family property in Portsea and engage with an Arrow Health drug rehabilitation program.
He was supported in court by his father Richard and mother Kathryn, who was visibly upset at the news her son would stand trial.
He will face the County Court later this month.
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