A Miss Swimsuit UK contestant has been arrested for seven years and three months after building a cocaine empire worth hundreds of thousands pounds in a Derbyshire town.
Melissa Mikosz, 32, and Thomas Carlisle, 28, were able to splash the cash on a millionaire lifestyle, which included £2,000 on a Christmas present for her son.
Derby Crown Court heard that a retail enterprise of 4.3kg of cocaine was supplied to users in Shirebrook in Mansfield, Derbyshire between 2018 and 2020.
Mikosz’s boyfriend Thomas Carlisle was jailed for 11 years and three months after also enlisting the help of his other girlfriend Georgia Vincent, 23, to launder the money.
The cocaine and weapons were stored in Shirebrook which Mikosz resided in with Carlisle and her young son.
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Prosecutor Jonathan Cox told Derby Crown Court that they often ran out of drugs, with 18 deals closed on some days.
It is a dramatic fall in grace for Mikosz, who appeared in Miss Swimwear UK three years ago and was applauded for taking part after revealing her battle with Crohn's disease.
In quotes published by the MailOnline, she said at the time: “I think the competitions are all about empowering women and it doesn't matter who you are, how old you are or where you come from, we all work together to empower more women to do the same.
“It would mean the world to me to win the competition and to represent the area.”
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But that is now a distant memory for the 32-year-old, who was sentenced to seven years in prison for conspiracy to supply cocaine and money laundering.
Carlisle was charged with conspiracy to supply class A drugs and converting criminal property, which led to his charge of 11 years and three months.
Meanwhile, Justin Woodham, 37, Adam Betts, 33, and Adrian Mohammed, 34, all assisted in the drug operation and were also jailed.
Vincent was also said to become more involved in the operation and was jailed for a period of four years.
Commenting after the case, Detective Constable Holloway said: “The damage that drugs and drug-related crimes cause should not be underestimated.
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“It does not stop with the substance user but extends well beyond to their families and local communities.
“I hope that these sentences show that there are very real consequences for those who choose to deal drugs in Derbyshire and that we will do everything in our power to disrupt your activity.
“We will arrest you, charge you, and put you before the court to answer for the harm you do.”
If you want friendly, confidential advice about drugs, you can talk to FRANK. You can call 0300 123 6600, text 82111 or contact through their website 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, or livechat from 2pm-6pm any day of the week
James Hilsum