Deborah Mason, known as “Queen Bee” or “gangster granny,” has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for her significant role in a criminal gang that trafficked nearly a ton of cocaine across the United Kingdom. Sentencing took place on July 18 at Woolwich Crown Court in London, where Mason, 65, and seven associates, including her sister and children, received a cumulative total of 106 years and six months behind bars.
The gang, involved in a sophisticated drug operation, supplied approximately 1,000 kg of cocaine over a span of seven months. The drugs had an estimated wholesale value ranging from £23 million to £35 million (about $31 million to $47 million) and a street value exceeding £80 million (over $107 million). Mason was found guilty of conspiracy to supply Class A drugs on April 28, highlighting the extensive nature of the operation and its impact on communities.
The police investigation, led by Detective Constable Jack Kraushaar, indicated that this successful operation was the result of relentless efforts by the Metropolitan Police to combat the drug trade, which often leads to violence and social disruption. Kraushaar emphasized the importance of this conviction in preventing further drug-related crimes.
Those sentenced alongside Mason include her family members, with significant terms handed down to several. For instance, Roseanne Mason and Demi Bright received 11 years, while Lillie Bright was sentenced to 13 years. Meanwhile, Mason’s associate, Demi Kendall, received a sentence of 13 years and six months. One member of the gang, Chloe Hodgkin, is awaiting sentencing.
The case was characterized as an extraordinary betrayal of familial bonds, with Kell Hutchinson from the Crown Prosecution Service highlighting that instead of nurturing her family, Mason orchestrated a criminal enterprise that would ultimately lead to their collective incarceration. Details revealed that she ran the operation from her home in North London and engaged in a lifestyle that included luxury vacations and high-end purchases, all financed by her illicit activities.
This complex case serves as a reminder of the widespread ramifications of drug trafficking and the importance of law enforcement efforts in dismantling such networks, which not only contribute to crime but also harm communities at large. The successful conviction of Mason and her associates delivers a message of accountability to those involved in the drug trade and a sense of justice for communities affected by their operations.