‘Gangster Granny’ Leader of Family Crime Gets 20 Years for Dealing Drugs Worth Over $100 Million

‘Gangster Granny’ Leader of Family Crime Gets 20 Years for Dealing Drugs Worth Over $100 Million

Deborah Mason, also known as the “Queen Bee” and “gangster Granny,” has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for her involvement in a criminal gang that distributed nearly a tonne (over 1,000 kg) of cocaine across the United Kingdom. Alongside Mason, six women and one man were also implicated in the crime and collectively received a total of 106 years and six months in prison, as per UK police reports.

The sentencing took place in Woolwich Crown Court in London, where it was revealed that Mason, 65, played a significant role in supplying a substantial amount of cocaine over seven months. The drugs had an estimated wholesale value ranging between £23 million to £35 million (approximately $31 million to $47 million) and a street value of £80 million (over $107 million), according to The Independent. Mason was convicted of conspiracy to supply Class A drugs at Woolwich Crown Court on April 28, and her sentencing took place on July 18.

Investigations led by Metropolitan Detective Constable Jack Kraushaar uncovered that the operation was highly lucrative for those involved, with Kraushaar expressing, “This was a sophisticated operation which was extremely profitable for those involved.” He further added, “Following months of work by the Met Police to relentlessly pursue these perpetrators, we were able to arrest and eventually convict them, preventing more drugs flooding streets across the UK which leads to violence, antisocial behaviour and misery for communities.”

In addition to Mason, her sister Tina Golding, along with her children Demi Bright, Roseanne Mason, Lillie Bright, Reggie Bright, and his partner Demi Kendall were also found to have had significant roles in the drug trafficking operation. Chloe Hodgkin, partner of Lillie Bright, and Anita Slaughter, a friend of Demi Bright, were noted to have played key roles as well.

Roseanne, 29, and Demi, 30, received sentences of 11 years each, while Lillie, 26, and Kendall, 31, were sentenced to 13 years and 13 years and six months in prison, respectively. Reggie, 24, received a 15-year sentence, Golding, 66, received a 10-year sentence, and Slaughter, 44, received a 13-year prison term. Hodgkin, who is currently pregnant, is awaiting sentencing.

Robert Hutchinson, Specialist Prosecutor at the Crown Prosecution Service, emphasized the gravity of their actions, stating, “Instead of nurturing and caring for her relatives, Deborah Mason recruited them to establish an extraordinarily profitable criminal enterprise that would ultimately put them all behind bars.” Mason was reported to have orchestrated the criminal activities from her residence in Tufnell Park, north London, indulging in luxury purchases and planning trips for cosmetic surgery in Turkey.

The significant sentences handed down to the members of this criminal gang serve as a stark reminder of the severe consequences of engaging in illicit drug trafficking activities. The relentless efforts of law enforcement agencies have once again resulted in successfully dismantling a sophisticated criminal operation, preventing harm to communities and disrupting the flow of illegal drugs across the country.