Jailed: Family-Run Cocaine Empire Foiled by Met Police Operation
A 65-year-old woman dubbed ‘Gangster Granny’ has been jailed for 20 years as the ringleader of a family-run drugs empire that trafficked nearly a tonne of cocaine across the UK, following a landmark Met Police operation.
Deborah Mason, 65, of Crayford Road, Tufnell Park — known within her network as the ‘Queen Bee’ — led a sophisticated courier operation involving eight family members and associates, delivering packages to cities including London, Birmingham, Cardiff, Leicester and Bristol.
The gang, composed mostly of women, earned over £1,000 per day each by ferrying imported Class A drugs across the country between April and November 2023. Mason and seven others were sentenced to a total of 106 years and six months’ imprisonment at Woolwich Crown Court on Friday, 18 July 2025.
Met Police: “Relentless Pursuit of Criminals”
Detective Constable Jack Kraushaar of the Metropolitan Police said:
“This was a sophisticated operation that was extremely profitable for those involved. They selfishly pursued wealth at the cost of community harm, but they were unaware we were coming for them.”
The Met launched the covert investigation after intelligence suggested large-scale trafficking linked to Harwich Port. Officers used surveillance, call data analysis, and encrypted messaging intercepts to track movements and communications.
How the Operation Worked
Mason would collect cocaine shipments at Harwich Port and use hired vehicles to distribute them across the country. Investigators uncovered thousands of messages on Signal, an encrypted platform, revealing coordinated runs and lavish spending habits.
Mason spent proceeds on luxury garden items, designer clothes, and even a £400 Gucci cat collar. The group also booked holidays and stayed in high-end hotels while delivering drugs.
“No Ordinary Family,” Say CPS
Robert Hutchinson, Specialist Prosecutor for the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), said:
“Instead of nurturing her family, Mason recruited them into an extraordinarily profitable criminal network. Their coordinated efforts and attempts to cover their tracks were no match for digital forensics.”
Arrests and Sentences
The majority of the gang were arrested in May 2024, with one further arrest in November. Following an 11-week trial, all were found guilty of conspiracy to supply Class A drugs.
The following sentences were handed down:
- Deborah Mason, 65 – 20 years
Jailed: Family-Run Cocaine Empire Foiled by Met Police Operation - Roseanne Mason, 29 – 11 years
Jailed: Family-Run Cocaine Empire Foiled by Met Police Operation - Demi Bright, 30 – 11 years
- Lillie Bright, 26 – 13 years
- Reggie Bright, 24 – 15 years
- Demi Kendall, 31 – 13 years 6 months
- Tina Golding, 66 – 10 years
- Anita Slaughter, 44 – 13 years
- Chloe Hodgkin, 23 – sentencing pending
Ongoing Work
The Met has pledged to continue targeting organised crime using precision policing and new technologies.
“This sentencing should act as a strong deterrent to those thinking they can profit from drug trafficking. The Met will find you,” added DC Kraushaar.
Have information about drug activity?
Call Crimestoppers anonymously at 0800 555 111 or visit crimestoppers-uk.org.
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