Talking parrot and prison phones: Drug gang led by inmate jailed for 103 years
Adam Garnett, who was already a serving prisoner, had a number of mobile phones and Wi-Fi routers discovered in a cell search.
Following enquiries after this find, Garnett's second-in-command people were identified as Dalbir Sandhu, Shannon Hilton and Jason Gerrand.
Searches of their home addresses found large quantities of drugs, cash, and phones all linking the gang to one another. The gang operated between February 2023 and July 2024 in the Blackpool area.
Cash, heroin, crack cocaine, ketamine and cannabis, plus mobile phones were seized. These were forensically matched to the defendants.
As part of the searches of the phone belonging to Shannon Hilton, Garnett's girlfriend, a number of videos were found. These videos included evidence of video calls between Hilton and Garnett, videos of what appear to be kilo blocks of cocaine, with music including the lyric 'cocaine' over the top, and footage of her teaching her pet parrot to say 'two for 25', a phrase picked up as part of common language used by the organised crime gang, in front of a child.
The video also showed the parrot playing with money which was gained through their illegal activities.
Upon searching Sandhu's phone, it was found that Garnett often directed people to the trusted key member of the OCG. He was found to have researched and sent links to stories discussing county lines to his contacts and kept a record in the notes of his phone of his dealings, including price lists and records of transactions. County lines are run by 'line holders' and the runners, often vulnerable people, deliver the drugs.
It was discovered that Garnett, as the leading member, and despite being in prison, was involved in the orchestration of moving evidence so that police could not find it and had communication channels with practically all the members of the organised crime group he controlled.
A number of videos were also found on Gareth Burgess' phone, including one which showed him walking through Blackpool, carrying a significant amount of cash, and rapping about his criminality.
15 people were arrested, and following consultation with the Crown Prosecution Service, charged with offences. They all pleaded guilty at Preston Crown Court.
Adam Garnett, 35, of no fixed abode was charged with two counts of conspiring to supply class A drugs. He was sentenced to 19 years and six months, which he will have to serve consecutive to his existing 15 year prison term.
Shannon Hilton, 29, of no fixed abode was charged with two counts of conspiracy to supply class A drugs and possession with intent to supply Class B drugs. She was sentenced to 12 years.
Dalbir Sandhu, 41, of Chesterfield Road, Blackpool, was charged with two counts of conspiring to supply class A drugs and possession with intent to supply class A drugs. He was sentenced to 10 years .
Jason Gerrand, 50, of no fixed abode, was charged with two counts of Conspiracy to supply Class A drugs . He was sentenced to eight years and three months.
Gareth Burgess, 45, of Clayton Crescent, Blackpool, was charged with two counts of conspiring to supply class A drugs. He was sentenced to seven years and seven months.
Dean Baker, 33, of Norfolk Avenue, Thornton Cleveleys, was charged with two counts of conspiring to supply class A drugs. He was sentenced to seven years and four months.
Thomas Bird, 31, of Bolton Street, Blackpool, was charged with two counts of conspiring to supply class A drugs. He was sentenced to eight years 9 months for the conspiracy with an additional 6 months for activating a suspended sentence totalling nine years and three months.
Chloe Stott, 24, of Langdale Road, Blackpool, was charged with two counts of conspiracy to supply Class A drugs. She failed to appear at court for sentencing but was sentenced to seven years and seven months in her absence. A warrant is now out for her arrest.
Jack Faryniarz, 22, of Dickson Road, Blackpool, was charged with two counts of conspiracy to supply class A drugs and burglary. He was sentenced to eight years and nine months.
William Ogden, 21, of Spencer Court, Blackpool, was charged with two counts of conspiracy to supply class A drugs and possession with intent to supply. He was sentenced to eight years.
Ryan Black, 27, of Jameson Street, Blackpool, was charged with two counts of conspiracy to supply class A drugs. He failed to appear for sentencing, but was sentenced to five years in his absence, and a warrant is now out for his arrest.
Rachel Johnson, 34, of Brock Avenue, Fleetwood, was charged with two counts of conspiracy to supply class A drugs. She pleaded Guilty to assisting an OCG and was sentenced to 15 months suspended for 12 months and will have to complete 80 hours of unpaid work.
Jamie Robinson, 22, of Airdrie Place, Blackpool, was charged with two counts of conspiracy to supply class A drugs. He pleaded Guilty to being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs and was sentenced to two years, suspended for two years. He will also have to complete 120 hours of unpaid work.
Jadene Grady, 26, of Onslow Road, Blackpool, was charged with two counts of conspiring to supply a class A drug. She pleaded Guilty to assisting an OCG at Preston crown court, and was sentenced to 15 months, suspended for 12 months and will have to complete 80 hours of unpaid work.
DS Anthony Alves of our West Targeted Crime Team 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.
'I welcome the sentences handed down today following the lengthy and complex investigation. I want to thank my team, the Crown Prosecution Service and our prosecution barristers Sarah Magill and Holly Nelson for their work in bringing these people to justice.
'Enquiries are ongoing to locate Chloe Stott and Ryan Black, who both failed to appear at court today. If you see them, or know where they may be, I would encourage you to let us know.
'We will continue to dismantle these gangs, whether they are operating behind bars or otherwise.'
Operation Warrior is Lancashire Police's response to tackling serious and organised crime in Lancashire, supported by Police and Crime Commissioner Clive Grunshaw.
It aims to target the individuals and gangs involved in crime, as well as associated issues such as violence and intimidation, large scale drug supply, exploitation, and fraud, all of which can cause serious harm to local communities.
Clive Grunshaw, Lancashire police and crime commissioner said: "Successful outcomes like this demonstrate officers' tireless work to protect the public and show that Lancashire is taking a relentless approach to tackling organised crime.
"I remain fully committed to supporting the Chief Constable, ensuring our officers and staff have the resources they need to dismantle criminal gangs, drive offenders out of our communities, and deliver justice."
If you believe that someone may be involved in drugs activity in your area, please do the responsible thing and report it. You can call 101, or report anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.
If someone is in immediate danger, or a crime is ongoing, please always call 999.
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