A 65-year-old woman dubbed the ‘Queen Bee’ has been jailed for spearheading a multi-million-pound drug trafficking network involving her own children and grandchildren. Deborah Mason, known in underworld circles as ‘Gangster Granny’, was sentenced this week alongside seven family members after a sweeping investigation uncovered their role in a vast operation distributing Class A drugs across the UK.
Drugs, deception and a family empire
Mason, from Warrington, was identified by police as the central figure in the network, which trafficked cocaine and heroin with an estimated street value of over £80 million. The operation used encrypted messaging services, safehouses, and a trusted network of couriers to move drugs from the northwest to multiple regions, including London, Birmingham and Glasgow.
Dubbed ‘Queen Bee’ by associates, Mason was found to have directed the gang’s logistics and finances, laundering profits through front businesses and cash transactions. Investigators traced large volumes of drug-related communications back to her encrypted device, where she issued instructions, coordinated deliveries, and discussed profits.
A family affair with deadly consequences
The court heard that Mason’s network was comprised primarily of her close family, with three sons, a daughter, two grandsons and a niece all playing active roles. They operated as a disciplined and secretive enterprise, using familial loyalty to ensure silence and continuity. The judge described the group as “a criminal business built on blood ties and greed”.
Prosecutors revealed that one of Mason’s sons acted as chief courier, transporting kilogrammes of cocaine hidden in modified vehicles. Her grandsons oversaw local distribution networks, while her niece managed drop-off points and acted as an intermediary for payments.
During the investigation, police seized over £3.2 million in cash, dozens of encrypted phones, and large quantities of drugs ready for resale. Evidence presented in court included surveillance footage, digital communications, and forensic links between drugs and various safehouse locations.
Sentencing sends strong message
Mason was sentenced to 21 years in prison, with the judge condemning her as the “architect of a corrosive criminal structure that preyed on communities for profit”. Her family members received sentences ranging from six to 18 years, bringing the total to 106.5 years.
Detective Chief Inspector Rob Jones, who led the investigation, said: “This was not a casual group of low-level dealers — it was a sophisticated, well-run and deeply rooted organisation that spread harm across the country. That it was orchestrated by a grandmother makes it all the more chilling.”
The sentencing marks one of the largest drug-related family prosecutions in the UK in recent years and highlights the growing trend of multi-generational involvement in organised crime. Authorities warned that such operations exploit familial trust to enforce discipline and evade suspicion.
A hidden figure in plain sight
Neighbours and acquaintances of Mason expressed shock at the revelation. Described as “polite” and “unassuming” by some, Mason had no prior criminal record and lived in a modest semi-detached home. Behind that façade, she controlled a drug empire that extended from Merseyside to the Midlands and beyond.
Analysts suggest that Mason’s role highlights the evolving profile of crime organisers, with older individuals increasingly involved in planning, financing and managing operations behind the scenes. Her case may prompt fresh scrutiny of hidden roles in familial crime networks and the stereotypes that often mask them.
Communities left to rebuild
The gang’s activities are believed to have fuelled addiction, violence and exploitation in many of the towns and cities they targeted. Local leaders are now calling for greater investment in youth outreach and addiction services to repair the damage caused.
Meanwhile, law enforcement agencies have reiterated their commitment to dismantling criminal organisations regardless of age, background or structure. As one officer put it: “Crime has no typical face. It could be anyone — even your neighbour, even your nan.”
REFH – Newshub, 19 July 2025
Recent Comments