UK's biggest family-run cartel busted with $100M in cocaine
Illustrative photo: Convicted of a crime (Getty Images)
A family drug cartel led by a 65-year-old retiree was convicted in the United Kingdom. During its operation, the gang distributed more than a ton of cocaine worth over $100 million, People informs.
In London, Deborah Mason, known by the nicknames "Queen Bee" and "Gangster Grandma," was sentenced to 20 years in prison. She organized one of the largest drug cartels in the UK.
British authorities consider the case one of the biggest family-linked drug crimes in the country's judicial history.
Investigators found that Mason, along with relatives, her sister, children, their partners, and even her daughter's friend, distributed millions of dollars' worth of cocaine nationwide over seven months.
The wholesale value of the drug shipments was at least $30 million. The total estimated retail value exceeded $100 million.
After months of surveillance, London police arrested everyone involved.
Metropolitan Detective Constable Jack Kraushaar called the scale of the operation extraordinary and its profits colossal.
"We were able to arrest and eventually convict them, preventing more drugs from flooding streets across the UK, which leads to violence, antisocial behaviour and misery for communities," he said.
Police also revealed that members transported drugs even with children to avoid suspicion.
Mason ran the operation from her home in North London. She led a lavish lifestyle, frequently took vacations, bought designer clothes, and even planned plastic surgery in Türkiye.
Alongside Deborah Mason, the following were sentenced:
- Her daughters, Demi Bright (30) and Roseanne Mason (29) received 11 years each.
- Another daughter, Lillie Bright (26), got 13 years.
- Her son, Reggie Bright (24), was sentenced to 15 years.
- Her sister, Tina Golding (66), received 10 years.
- Demi's partner, Kendall (31), got 13.5 years.
- Her daughter's friend, Anita Slaughter (44), was sentenced to 13 years.
Another participant, Lilly's partner Chloe Hodgkin, who is currently pregnant, faces a separate verdict.
The court handed down a total of 106.5 years in prison to the group members.
Robert Hutchinson, Specialist Prosecutor at the Crown Prosecution Service, described the family as "no ordinary." He stressed that instead of care and support, Mason involved her relatives in dangerous and criminal activities.
