‘Two for 25': Talking parrot turns stool pigeon, brings down drug gang
The devices were discovered during a search of his cell, leading to a wider investigation across the network.
Garnett, who was already serving 15 years, was handed a further 19 years and six months to be served consecutively.
Detectives working on the case traced messages and video calls between Garnett and Hilton, who acted as a link to street-level dealers.
Footage found also showed kilogram blocks of cocaine, accompanied by music glorifying the use of narcotics.
Dalbir Sandhu, 41, was also convicted after keeping a detailed digital record of transactions, which included price lists and links to news articles about gangs. He was sentenced to 10 years.
The group was brought down as part of Operation Warrior, Lancashire Constabulary's response to serious organised crime. Officers raided numerous properties, recovering cash, phones and large quantities of drugs.
Gareth Burgess, 45, received a more than seven-year sentence after a video was found of him rapping about drug dealing while walking through Blackpool with a wad of cash.
Two other members of the gang, Chloe Scott, 24, and Ryan Black, 27, did not appear at Preston Crown Court and have been sentenced in their absence.
Warrants have been issued for their arrest.
Detective Sergeant Anthony Alves said: 'These people ran a sophisticated operation to supply class-A drugs across Blackpool. Garnett continued to run his operation whilst in prison, communicating with the members of his organised crime gang through illegal methods.'
Lancashire Police and Crime Commissioner Clive Grunshaw praised the 'relentless approach' of the officers who dismantled the gang.
'Successful outcomes like this demonstrate officers' tireless work to protect the public,' he said.
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Sydney Morning Herald
07-08-2025
- Sydney Morning Herald
‘Two for 25': Talking parrot turns stool pigeon, brings down drug gang
Garnett, who directed the group using smuggled mobile phones while in prison, was also arrested. The devices were discovered during a search of his cell, leading to a wider investigation across the network. Garnett, who was already serving 15 years, was handed a further 19 years and six months to be served consecutively. Detectives working on the case traced messages and video calls between Garnett and Hilton, who acted as a link to street-level dealers. Footage found also showed kilogram blocks of cocaine, accompanied by music glorifying the use of narcotics. Dalbir Sandhu, 41, was also convicted after keeping a detailed digital record of transactions, which included price lists and links to news articles about gangs. He was sentenced to 10 years. The group was brought down as part of Operation Warrior, Lancashire Constabulary's response to serious organised crime. Officers raided numerous properties, recovering cash, phones and large quantities of drugs. Gareth Burgess, 45, received a more than seven-year sentence after a video was found of him rapping about drug dealing while walking through Blackpool with a wad of cash. Two other members of the gang, Chloe Scott, 24, and Ryan Black, 27, did not appear at Preston Crown Court and have been sentenced in their absence. Warrants have been issued for their arrest. Detective Sergeant Anthony Alves said: 'These people ran a sophisticated operation to supply class-A drugs across Blackpool. Garnett continued to run his operation whilst in prison, communicating with the members of his organised crime gang through illegal methods.' Lancashire Police and Crime Commissioner Clive Grunshaw praised the 'relentless approach' of the officers who dismantled the gang. 'Successful outcomes like this demonstrate officers' tireless work to protect the public,' he said.
The Age
07-08-2025
- The Age
‘Two for 25': Talking parrot turns stool pigeon, brings down drug gang
Garnett, who directed the group using smuggled mobile phones while in prison, was also arrested. The devices were discovered during a search of his cell, leading to a wider investigation across the network. Garnett, who was already serving 15 years, was handed a further 19 years and six months to be served consecutively. Detectives working on the case traced messages and video calls between Garnett and Hilton, who acted as a link to street-level dealers. Footage found also showed kilogram blocks of cocaine, accompanied by music glorifying the use of narcotics. Dalbir Sandhu, 41, was also convicted after keeping a detailed digital record of transactions, which included price lists and links to news articles about gangs. He was sentenced to 10 years. The group was brought down as part of Operation Warrior, Lancashire Constabulary's response to serious organised crime. Officers raided numerous properties, recovering cash, phones and large quantities of drugs. Gareth Burgess, 45, received a more than seven-year sentence after a video was found of him rapping about drug dealing while walking through Blackpool with a wad of cash. Two other members of the gang, Chloe Scott, 24, and Ryan Black, 27, did not appear at Preston Crown Court and have been sentenced in their absence. Warrants have been issued for their arrest. Detective Sergeant Anthony Alves said: 'These people ran a sophisticated operation to supply class-A drugs across Blackpool. Garnett continued to run his operation whilst in prison, communicating with the members of his organised crime gang through illegal methods.' Lancashire Police and Crime Commissioner Clive Grunshaw praised the 'relentless approach' of the officers who dismantled the gang. 'Successful outcomes like this demonstrate officers' tireless work to protect the public,' he said.
Sky News AU
07-05-2025
- Sky News AU
Luigi Mangione gets 27th birthday present as defense fund tops $1 million: ‘The man, the myth, the legend'
That's one way to celebrate your birthday. The legal defense fund for Luigi Mangione reached more than $1 million in donations Tuesday, with droves of starry-eyed supporters pitching in to help the alleged UnitedHealthcare CEO assassin on his 27th birthday. 'Happy 27th Birthday to the man, the myth, the legend. You are so loved. May you stay healthy and strong and keep the fighting spirit inside you,' one anonymous fan wrote while donating $27 on Mangione's birthday. 'This is my 7th donation, and I will keep donating as long as I need to. You are fighting for your life, but know there is an ARMY behind you. We are not going anywhere.' The crowdfunding campaign on the GiveSendGo fundraising website raked in $1,042,800 as of Tuesday afternoon, with 28,000 contributions averaging $27 in recent weeks, according to a press release by the December 4 Legal Committee. Cultish supporters forked over $27 'as a way to celebrate Mr. Mangione's birthday, which is today, May 6,' the committee said. The money will go toward Mangione's defense for his three pending legal cases. Mangione, an Ivy league grad turned accused murderer, is accused of gunning down UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, 50, outside the Hilton hotel in Midtown on Dec. 4. The shocking, cold-blooded murder led to legions of fangirls flocking to Mangione's court appearances and protesters denouncing the healthcare industry. Mangione pleaded not guilty to murder, stalking and a firearms offense at his Manhattan federal death penalty case last month. Sam Beard, a spokesperson for the December 4 Legal Committee, called the former tech whiz a 'folk hero' among millions. 'The milestone was reached because of the continued resonance of Mr. Mangione's story,' he said in a statement on the fundraising website. 'He has become a contemporary folk hero, understood by millions to be a brave, righteous American concerned with the lived experience of the common man.' Originally published as Luigi Mangione gets 27th birthday present as defence fund tops $1 million: 'The man, the myth, the legend'
