Australian convicted drug dealer and former butterfly swimmer who competed at the 1996 Summer Olympics, winning a silver and bronze medal Scott Miller has been sentenced to five years and six months in prison for his role as the ringleader of a drug operation in New South Wales. Arrested in February 2021 and behind bars since that date, Miller, now 47 years old, received his official sentence earlier this week in Downing Centre District Court. He will be ineligible for parole for three years, making 2024 the earliest he can be released.

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When Miller was arrested, he was in possession of more than $2 million in heroin and ICE, which was hidden in candles, and was cited by authorities as the head of a NSW drug ring. Police tracked Miller for several days, following each of his moves, before making their arrest. Miller eventually pleaded guilty to multiple charges, leading to the sentence of five-plus years in jail, according to Swimming World Magazine.

At the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta, Miller was the silver medalist in the 100-meter butterfly, finishing behind Russia’s Denis Pankratov, who set a world record en route to gold. Miller also helped Australia to the bronze medal in the 400 medley relay. Following his Olympic efforts, Miller found difficulty adjusting to life outside of sports. Several friends and coaches provided the court with character statements and support to Miller ahead of his sentencing.

His lawyer Arjun Chhabra previously painted a picture of a successful Olympic swimmer whose "public comedown" from his time as an athlete left him "ill-equipped to move into a life beyond his sporting career," according to the Australian NewsWire.

According to the outlet, his mental health issues were exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, which brought about the end to his trucking business.

"These problems have continued over subsequent years and have at least contributed to his substance abuse," Judge Penny Hock said, per the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.

Judge Hock said Miller had played a "central role" in supplying the drugs for the criminal group, according to the news outlets.

Miller will be eligible for parole in February 2024, reports The Sydney Morning Herald.

Prosecuting attorneys detailed in court that Miller would melt methamphetamine into white candles that were hidden in a secret compartment in his Toyota Camry, according to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Police tracked Miller and another suspect on a drug supply run from Balmain to Yass, and the two were eventually arrested in February 2021, according to People.

At the time, the New South Wales Police Force had issued a statement saying the arrests were made as part of an investigation into a "criminal syndicate involved in the supply of prohibited drugs."

The police executed a search warrant and found "approximately one kilogram of heroin with a street value of $250,000, over $75,000 cash, mobile phones, documents, encrypted electronic devices and smaller amounts of prohibited drugs."

Miller first gained prominence in the swimming world at 19, winning the men's 100-meter butterfly and men's 4-by-100-meter medley relay representing Australia at the 1994 Commonwealth Games in Victoria, British Columbia.

He then went on to win a silver medal in the men's 100-meter butterfly and a bronze medal in the men's 4-by-100-meter medley relay at the 1996 Summer Olympics.

Beyond his Olympic medals, Miller was a World Short Course Championships, Commonwealth Games and Pan Pacific Champs gold medalist in the 100 butterfly.

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Sources: Swimming World Magazine, People