Latest news with #AdamGarnett
NDTV
4 days ago
- NDTV
Watch: Talking Parrot Leads To Major Drug Bust In England
A talking parrot helped police bust a major gang involved in selling drugs after officers discovered videos of the bird repeating dealer phrases like "two for 25." The bird led to the arrest and conviction of 15 gang members, including the leader who ran the drug line from prison. The clue came up during raids on homes in Blackpool, England, where police seized large amounts of heroin, cocaine, cash, and phones linked to the gang. The operation was led by Adam Garnett, 35, who ran the drugs network from prison between 2023 and 2024. A search of his cell uncovered phones containing videos showing kilo blocks of drugs and footage of his girlfriend's pet parrot Mango, talking and playing with drug money. After the cell search, police identified Garnett's key associates - his girlfriend Shannon Hilton, 29, Dalbir Sandhu, 41, and Jason Gerrand, 50, of Shore Road, Thornton-Cleveleys. On Hilton's phone, officers found videos of her teaching the parrot to say "two for 25" in front of a child while laughing. Sandhu's phone contained detailed records of drug dealings, including price lists and transaction notes. He also researched and shared news stories about county lines, a method of drug trafficking using vulnerable people as runners. Despite being imprisoned, Garnett maintained communication with almost all gang members and coordinated efforts to hide evidence. Videos on Gareth Burgess's phone showed him walking through Blackpool carrying large amounts of cash and rapping about his criminal activity. Fifteen gang members pleaded guilty to drug offences at Preston Crown Court for crimes committed between February 2023 and July 2024. They are jailed for a total of more than 103 years. The case was part of Operation Warrior, Lancashire Police's response to tackling serious organised crime, supported by Police and Crime Commissioner Clive Grunshaw. Grunshaw 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."
Fox News
5 days ago
- Fox News
Parrot helps law enforcement uncover drug trafficking ring, leading to major bust
A parrot trained to mimic drug-related phrases played an unlikely role in helping British police dismantle a narcotics network operating inside a prison, authorities revealed this week. The Lancashire Constabulary announced charges against 15 people linked to the gang, which allegedly trafficked drugs across Blackpool, England, between February 2023 and July 2024. The group was led by 35-year-old Adam Garnett, who was already serving a prison sentence when the operation was uncovered. The investigation began after prison officials searched Garnett's cell and found multiple mobile phones and Wi-Fi routers. That discovery led police to several of his suspected associates, including Dalbir Sandhu, Shannon Hilton and Jason Gerrand. Searches of their homes turned up heroin, crack cocaine, ketamine, cannabis, large sums of cash and mobile phones allegedly tied to the drug trade. One of the more bizarre findings came from Hilton's phone, which police say contained videos showing her parrot, named "Mango," repeating "two for 25," a suspected drug deal reference. Another clip reportedly showed the bird playing with cash allegedly linked to illicit profits. "What's the most talented thing your pet can do? Sit? Give paw? How about speak?" Lancashire Police wrote in a post on the department's Facebook page. "One drug dealer's parrot learned to say 'two for 25' - a phrase picked up as part of common language used by the organised crime gang run by her boyfriend. Not a phrase you want your parrot squawking when the police come knocking!" Investigators also uncovered video calls between Hilton and Garnett, along with footage appearing to show kilogram-sized packages of cocaine, sometimes accompanied by music lyrics referencing the drug. Despite being behind bars, authorities say Garnett remained at the center of the operation, directing efforts to hide evidence and maintaining contact with nearly every member of the criminal network. Det. Sgt. Anthony Alves of Lancashire Police's West Targeted Crime Team praised the outcome, calling it a "coordinated and complex drug operation that extended far beyond prison walls." "Garnett continued to run his enterprise while incarcerated, using illegal devices to maintain control. I want to thank my team, our partners at the Crown Prosecution Service, and our prosecution team for their dedication to bringing these criminals to justice." He added that warrants remain active for Chloe Stott and Ryan Black and urged the public to come forward with any information about their whereabouts. Authorities say additional evidence from suspects' phones included videos flaunting large amounts of cash, drug-related rap lyrics and documented drug transactions. Garnett was sentenced to an additional 19 years and six months in prison to be served consecutively with his existing 15-year term. Hilton, 29, received 12 years while Sandhu, 41, was sentenced to 10. The bust was part of Operation Warrior, Lancashire Police's initiative to combat organized crime, drug trafficking, exploitation and violence in the region. The initiative is supported by Police and Crime Commissioner Clive Grunshaw, who applauded the arrests and convictions. "This sends a clear message: we will not tolerate organized crime in our communities. I remain committed to giving law enforcement the resources they need to take down these gangs and protect the public." Stepheny Price is a writer for Fox News Digital and Fox Business. She covers topics including missing persons, homicides, national crime cases, illegal immigration, and more. Story tips and ideas can be sent to
The Independent
5 days ago
- The Independent
Talking parrot helps bring down Blackpool drug operation
A talking parrot named Mango assisted Lancashire Police in dismantling an organised crime gang in Blackpool. Mango, owned by the girlfriend of ringleader Adam Garnett, was taught to say the drug-dealing phrase 'two for 25'. Police raids on homes uncovered large quantities of cocaine and heroin, along with videos of the parrot squawking the phrase and playing with cash. Adam Garnett and 14 other gang members were subsequently jailed for a combined total exceeding 103 years. Watch the video in full above.
The Independent
5 days ago
- The Independent
Talking parrot brings down Blackpool drugs ring after revealing secrets to police
A talking parrot has helped bring down an organised crime gang, after a member taught the bird how to say the drug-dealing phrase 'two for 25'. Mango the parrot, who belonged to the girlfriend of ringleader Adam Garnett, was discovered when Lancashire Police officers raided homes in Blackpool, where they seized large amounts of cocaine and heroin. Footage released by the force on Wednesday (August 6) shows the yellow bird squawking the phrase, which alludes to a deal on cocaine, as well as it playing with cash that the £1million narcotic ring had made. The videos of the bird were taken by gang members prior to the raid. On Wednesday, Garnett and the 14 people who worked for him were jailed for a combined total of more than 103 years.
Daily Telegraph
5 days ago
- Daily Telegraph
Moment pet parrot helps cops bring down huge drug gang
Don't miss out on the headlines from Animals. Followed categories will be added to My News. This is the moment a squawking parrot named Mango helped bring down a massive drug operation in the UK. The pet was captured on video saying 'two for 25' – a reference to a street deal price for crack cocaine, The Sun reports. Mango was also filmed playing with cash the gang had made from their operation. The videos were discovered on a phone belonging to Shannon Hilton, whose boyfriend Adam Garnett was in jail. Garnett had been running the network from his prison cell using smuggled phones and Wi-Fi routers. Parrot Mango exposed his owner's criminal activity. Picture: Lancashire Police Hilton was also filmed making video calls to her lag lover while blocks of cocaine could be seen in the background. The couple were among 15 members of the gang jailed for a total of 103 years after they admitted drug offences. Preston Crown Court — in england's north west — heard Garnett kept in touch with his associates despite already being behind bars. Mango was filmed counting dirty money. Picture: Lancashire Police The gang would then carry out orders across Blackpool between February 2023 and July 2024, trafficking Class A and B drugs – including heroin, crack cocaine, cannabis, and ketamine. When officers launched a probe, they discovered the incriminating footage on Hilton's phone. This included her teaching Mango to say the drug lingo while children were present and a clip of the bird counting its owner's ill-gotten gains. Clips from other gang members showed raps about drug money, stashes of heroin and ketamine and large sums of cash being flaunted. Officers raided their homes and discovered large quantities of drugs, cash, and phones all linking the gang to one another. Garnett was jailed for 19 years and six months after admitting two counts of conspiring to supply class A drugs. Girlfriend Hilton was jailed for 12 years for two counts of conspiracy to supply class A drugs and possession with intent to supply Class B drugs. Adam Garnett was jailed for 19 years and six months. Picture: Lancashire Police Shannon Hilton was jailed for 12 years. Picture: Lancashire Police Blackpool Police said: 'What's the most talented thing your pet can do? Sit? Give paw? How about speak? 'One drug dealer's parrot learned to say 'two for 25' – a phrase picked up as part of common language used by the organised crime gang run by her boyfriend. Not a phrase you want your parrot squawking when the police come knocking! 'Last week, they, and thirteen others were jailed for more than 103 years. As Mango the parrot played with illegally gained money, the gang members rapped about their drug dealing, boasting of their criminal exploits.' This article originally appeared in The Sun and has been reproduced with permission. Originally published as Moment talking pet parrot helps cops bring down huge drug gang
