THE Miss Universe beauty pageant has been plagued by a new scandal just days after it ended.
After the contest ended last week in Thailand, the Mexican-co owner of the pageant has been accused of trafficking drugs and arms with his Thai counterpart also being accused of fraud.
Miss Mexico took first place, donning the winner’s crown estimated to be worth five million dollars, despite a public clash with the competition host.
A Thai court official told AFP that an arrest warrant was issued earlier this week on Tuesday for the media mogul co-owner, Anne Jakapong Jakajutatip.
The warrant for the businesswoman and TV host is for alleged fraud worth nearly one million dollars.
A plastic surgeon accused Anne of fraud and concealing information after she allegedly persuaded him to invest in JKN Global Group, which co-owns the contest.
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Elsewhere, the federal prosecutor’s office in Mexico said the other co-owner, businessman Raul Rocha Cantu, was under investigation for arms, drug, and fuel trafficking.
In a statement, they said: “Key information is being obtained that will allow the federal public prosecutor’s office to continue and delve deeper into this investigation.”
Warrants have also been issued for 13 defendants including Raul, according to local media.
Mexican media have further ignited the scandal, accusing Raul of having alleged business dealings with the father of the new Miss Universe, Fatima Bosch.
Bernardo Bosch, her father, denied any connection to Raul.
He is a senior executive at the state-owned oil company, Pemex.
Anne brought JKN Global Group for $20 million in 2022 and she later sold half its stake to Raul Cantu’s Legacy Holding Group USA for $16 million.
US President Donald Trump, appears to have dodged the pageant drama after selling-off the pageant back in 2015.
This year the scandal-ridden show cannot seem to catch a break with Miss Jamacia being stretchered away after stacking it off the stage.
Shocking videos of her plummet, which occurred during the preliminary evening gown round, have emerged online.
The star was confidently strutting down the runway in an intricate orange gown before she suddenly stepped-off the darkened edge of the stage.
Gabrielle Henry seemingly faceplanted the floor in front of the show’s live audience.
Gabrielle was later rushed to Paolo Rangsit Hospital in Thailand, and the organisation previously confirmed she didn’t suffer life-threating injuries.
The organisation released a statement, which said: “Medical professionals are attending to her care and have advised that she is not suffering from any life-threatening injuries; however, they continue to conduct tests to ensure her full recovery.”
Raul, who is accused of trafficking offenses, posted an update online at the time, reassuring Miss Universe supporters.
He wrote: “I was there with her family and her, and thankfully, there are no broken bones, and she is under good care.
“She will remain under observation for the rest of the night, and we will remain in touch with her family and support her.”
He added: “He added: “Our prayers go out for her prompt recovery.”
Although it’s reported leaders of the Miss Universe organisation allegedly blamed Gabrielle after she suffered the shocking fall.
Miss Haiti recently opened up about the incident and how leadership responded, during a chat with People.
She said: “The first thing [the pageant staff member] said was it’s because she wasn’t paying attention.”
Gabrielle is an ophthalmologist (a specialist eye doctor) as well as the founder of the See Me Foundation, a charity advocating for the visually impaired across Jamaica.
Marred in controversy, a Miss Universe Judge, Omar Harfouch resigned from the official jury just days before the pageant.
Omar claimed an “impromptu jury” with personal ties to contestants had already decided which women would make it through the competition.