Przemyslaw Mysiala, also known as “The Polish Bear,” has recently been convicted and sentenced to seven years in prison for his involvement in supplying cocaine and possessing criminal property. The 41-year-old martial arts champion from Maidenhead, Berkshire, was apprehended by the police on the A11 near Attleborough, Norfolk, where they discovered a staggering £72,000 in cash on the back seat of his car. This incident led to his conviction in January, and he has since been remanded into custody.
Mysiala, who was ranked fourth among professional light heavyweights in the UK and had an impressive record of 24 wins out of 37 fights in his career, was deemed to have played a significant role in the drug operation. According to prosecutor Isobel Ascherson, evidence presented to the jury revealed that Mysiala had made multiple trips to Norwich, during which he allegedly delivered blocks of cocaine weighing just under 2kg (4.4lbs) each time. This suspicious activity came to light as a result of Operation Oxen, a surveillance operation conducted by Norfolk and Suffolk Police.
During the trial, it was argued that Mysiala’s involvement in the drug operation, particularly with links to the supplier in Eastern Europe, indicated that he potentially played a part in the supply of more than 5kg (11lbs) of cocaine over the course of his four trips to Norwich. Despite the defence’s claim that his conviction was based solely on the evidence from the fourth trip, the jury found him guilty after just three hours and four minutes of deliberation.
In defence of Mysiala, his barrister, Tony Montgomery, highlighted his client’s previous good character, hard work, and devotion to his family. He emphasized the impact of Mysiala’s imprisonment on his family, especially as he was the primary breadwinner. Although acknowledging the evidence of the substantial amount of cash found in his possession, Montgomery argued that Mysiala’s payment was relatively small, and there was no evidence of large quantities of cash in his bank accounts.
Despite these arguments, Recorder Ruth Brander sentenced Mysiala to seven years in prison for supplying cocaine and an additional year for the possession of criminal property. She underscored the harmful consequences of involvement in the drug trade and emphasized the need for individuals to recognize the impact of their actions. While Mysiala’s career as a professional fighter may be over, Recorder Brander indicated that he might find work as a trainer, but would not be able to capitalise on his previous celebrity status.
As Mysiala serves his sentence, the consequences of his illegal activities are felt not only by him, but also by his family and the community. The case serves as a reminder of the serious repercussions of involvement in criminal activities and the impact it can have on individuals and their loved ones.