A parrot, surprisingly, played a role in aiding British law enforcement in breaking up drug trafficking operations in prisons. This week, authorities disclosed that the bird, trained to mimic drug-related phrases, has helped expose criminal activities.
Authorities from Lancashire revealed they had charged 15 individuals connected to a gang that transported drugs in Blackpool, England, between February and July of this year. The organization was reportedly run by 35-year-old Adam Garnett.
The investigation kicked off when prison officials found multiple phones and Wi-Fi routers belonging to Garnett. This discovery led officers to other suspects, including Darville Sandou, Shannon Hilton, and Jason Guerand. Searches at their residences reportedly uncovered heroin, crack cocaine, ketamine, cannabis, large amounts of cash, and mobile devices associated with drug trafficking.
Among the more peculiar findings was a video from Hilton’s phone featuring her parrot, “Mango,” repeatedly saying phrases associated with drug deals. Another clip showed the bird seemingly playing with cash believed to be related to illicit activities.
In a post on their Facebook page, Lancashire police jokingly asked what talents people’s pets might have. They noted that the parrot had learned to say “2 for 25,” a phrase commonly used among organized crime groups.
Investigators also uncovered video calls between Garnett and Hilton that sometimes included music lyrics alluding to drugs, along with footage of a sizable package of cocaine.
Despite his incarceration, authorities claim Garnett was still managing the drug operations, using illegal devices to communicate and maintain control over the network.
Detective Sergeant Anthony Alves from the Lancashire Police commended the operation, stating it was a complex endeavor that transcended prison boundaries.
He expressed gratitude to his team and partners, noting that warrants remain active for two suspects, Chloe Stott and Ryan Black, and urged anyone with information about their location to come forward.
Evidence collected from suspects’ phones included large sums of cash, drug-related rap lyrics, and video documentation of drug transactions. As a result of the investigation, Garnett was handed an additional 19 years and six months in prison to serve consecutively with his existing 15-year sentence, while Hilton received 12 years and Sandou was sentenced to 10.
This operation was part of a broader initiative by Lancashire police aimed at combating organized crime, drug trafficking, and associated violence in the region. Police and crime commissioner Clive Grunshaw emphasized the importance of these arrests and convictions, stating they demonstrate a clear stance against organized crime in the community.
