A parrot named Mango became an unlikely hero in the fight against crime when he started using drug-related slang that helped jail a Blackpool drug ring for more than 103 years. The criminal operation was led by Adam Garnett, who orchestrated his empire from behind bars with the aid of smuggled mobile phones and Wi-Fi routers.
But the gang were caught out when police discovered crucial evidence on the mobile phones of Garnett’s associates. One video showed Garnett’s girlfriend, Shannon Hilton, making video calls to him with blocks of cocaine openly visible in the background.
Another clip featured Hilton’s pet parrot, Mango, repeating the phrase “two for 25”, slang for a crack cocaine deal price.
Other footage showed Mango playing with bundles of cash. O
This criminal network was active across Blackpool from February 2023 to July 2024, trafficking Class A and B substances such as heroin, crack cocaine, cannabis, and ketamine. Ultimately, 15 individuals admitted to drug charges at Preston Crown Court, resulting in collective sentences surpassing a century, reports the Liverpool Echo.
Garnett’s criminal influence spread across the entire organisation, with footage and communications connecting almost every member of the network directly to him – despite his imprisonment.
Lancashire Police revealed the videos not only demonstrated the operation’s magnitude but clearly depicted a group celebrating their lawless way of life.
The very clips they filmed to flaunt their activities have now landed them in custody.
In a Facebook post, Blackpool Police wrote: “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.
“The leader of the gang, Adam Garnett was already serving a 15-year prison sentence when a number of phones and wifi routers were found in his cell. Following enquiries after this find, Garnett’s second-in-command associates 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.”