A pet parrot named Mango helped police crack a major drug trafficking ring in Blackpool, after it was taught to mimic dealer phrases like “two for 25”.
The bizarre discovery came during a raid on homes linked to the gang, where officers seized large quantities of heroin and cocaine. The ring was orchestrated by Adam Garnett, 35, who shockingly ran the operation from inside prison between 2023 and 2024.
During a search of Garnett’s prison cell, police found mobile phones and Wi-Fi routers used to coordinate the gang’s operations. Videos retrieved from the phones showed blocks of drugs and footage of Mango the parrot talking and playing with drug money.
Garnett’s communications led police to identify his core associates:
- Shannon Hilton, 29 (his girlfriend)
- Dalbir Sandhu, 41, of Cleveleys
- Jason Gerrand, 50, of Thornton-Cleveleys
One video on Hilton’s phone showed her laughing as she taught Mango drug phrases — in front of a child. Meanwhile, Sandhu’s phone contained detailed price lists and transaction records, and even research about county lines drug operations.
Another gang member, Gareth Burgess, 45, was seen in videos rapping about his crimes while walking around Blackpool with large sums of cash.
In total, 15 members of the gang pleaded guilty to drug charges at Preston Crown Court. Sentences included:
- Garnett: 19 years and 6 months
- Hilton: 12 years
- Sandhu: 10 years
- Gerrand: 8 years and 3 months
- Burgess: 7 years and 4 months
- Chloe Stott, 24, and Ryan Black, 27 — sentenced in absentia to 7 and 5 years respectively, with arrest warrants issued
Det Sgt Anthony Alves said efforts were ongoing to track down the absconding pair, affirming:
“We will continue dismantling gangs — whether they operate from the streets or behind bars.”