A parrot trained to mimic drug-dealing phrases has played a surprising role in helping authorities dismantle a drug ring led by a prison inmate in England, according to officials.
A total of 15 individuals, including 35-year-old ringleader Adam Garnett, were charged in connection with the operation, the Lancashire Constabulary announced in a press release on Monday, August 4. The gang is believed to have operated in Blackpool between February 2023 and July 2024.
The investigation began when prison staff discovered several contraband items — including mobile phones and Wi-Fi routers — during a search of Garnett’s cell. Despite already serving a sentence, police say Garnett was actively managing the drug network from behind bars.
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Authorities then focused on three of Garnett’s alleged associates: Dalbir Sandhu, Shannon Hilton, and Jason Gerrand. Searches of their homes led to the seizure of drugs including heroin, crack cocaine, ketamine, and cannabis, as well as cash and mobile phones. Forensic analysis linked these items to the suspects, police said.
One of the more unusual discoveries came from Hilton’s phone, which reportedly contained videos showing her teaching her pet parrot to say “two for 25” in front of a child. Additional footage allegedly showed the parrot interacting with cash believed to be linked to the group’s illicit activities.
Further evidence uncovered during the investigation included video calls between Hilton and Garnett and clips appearing to show kilo-sized packages of cocaine, all set to music featuring the word “cocaine,” police noted.
“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 organized crime group he controlled,” police said.
Authorities also recovered a video from the phone of another associate, identified as Burgess, which showed him flashing money while rapping about his criminal activities. Sandhu’s device reportedly contained logs of drug deals and pricing details.
Garnett received a sentence of 19 years and six months, to be served in addition to his current 15-year term. Hilton, 29, was sentenced to 12 years, while Sandhu, 41, received a 10-year prison term.
Two other individuals charged in the case — Chloe Stott, 24, and Ryan Black, 27 — failed to appear for sentencing. Warrants have been issued for their arrest.
