Adam Garnett: Mango the parrot exposes prisoner’s drug gang in Lancashire

A talking parrot has been part of the downfall of a prison drug-dealing scheme, after it police discovered videos of it in the middle of its owner’s wrongdoing.

Adam Garnett, the gang’s ringleader, was serving out a sentence in prison when guards discovered mobile phones and Wi-Fi routers hidden in his cell.

This prompted an investigation, which linked Garnett to people outside of prison, who were facilitating drug dealing operations on the ground in Lancanshire, England.

Police searched the home of Shannon Hilton, Garnett’s girlfriend and second in command, and were shocked to find incriminating videos involving her pet parrot, Mango.

Footage showed her teaching Mango to say “two for 25” in front of a child, as well as the parrot playing with money earned from the illicit deals.

Other videos showed calls between Hilton and Garnett, with blocks of cocaine in the background, and music with the lyrics featuring the word “cocaine” being played over the top.

On Facebook, Lancashire Police wrote “as Mango the parrot played with illegally gained money, the gang members rapped about their drug dealing, boasting of their criminal exploits”.

In a statement, Lancashire Constabulary said a group of 15 people had been jailed for a total of 103 years in relation to the drug line who had operated between February 2023 and July 2024.

Other second-in-command figures were identified as Dalbir Sandhu and Jason Gerrand.

Police searched their home addresses, alongside Hilton’s and found “large quantities of drugs, cash, and phones all linking the gang to one another”.

The investigation uncovered that Garnett had orchestrated the moving of evidence so that police could not find it, despite being imprisoned.

The statement said he had “communication channels with practically all the members of the organised crime group he controlled”.

He was charged with two counts of conspiring to supply class A drugs and was sentenced to 19 years and six months imprisonment, which he will have to serve consecutively to his existing 15 year prison term.

Hilton was also charged with two counts of supply, and also with possession with intent to supply Class B drugs. She was sentenced to 12 years imprisonment.

The remaining 13 gang members were charged with similar conspiracy offences, and other related offences including burglary.

DS Anthony Alves said the investigation was “lengthy and complex”.

“We will continue to dismantle these gangs, whether they are operating behind bars or otherwise,” he said.

Clive Grunshaw, Lancashire Police and Crime Commissioner said “successful outcomes like this demonstrate officers’ tireless work to protect the public and show that Lancashire is taking a relentless approach to tackling organised crime”.

“I remain fully committed to supporting the Chief Constable, ensuring our officers and staff have the resources they need to dismantle criminal gangs, drive offenders out of our communities, and deliver justice,” he said.