Talking parrot helps bring down drugs gang

A talking parrot has helped bring down a major drugs operation after a gang member taught the pet how to say phrases used by dealers, like "two for 25".

The bird was discovered when police raided homes in Blackpool where officers also seized large amounts of heroin and cocaine.

Ringleader Adam Garnett, 35, ran the gang from inside prison from 2023 to 2024.

A search of his cell uncovered phones which had videos showing kilo blocks of drugs and footage of his girlfriend's pet parrot Mango talking and playing with drugs money.

After Garnett's cell search, police identified his next-in-command were his girlfriend Shannon Hilton, 29, of no fixed address, Dalbir Sandhu, 41, of Beech Road, Cleveleys and Jason Gerrand, 50, of Shore Road, Thornton-Cleveleys.

A video on Hilton's phone revealed her laughing as she taught the bird to say "two for 25" in front of a child.

The drugs line unravelled after Adam Garnett's cell was searched and several phones and Wi-Fi routers were found

Sandhu's phone revealed he kept a record in his notes of his dealings, including price lists and transactions, Lancashire Police said.

He was also found to have researched and sent links to stories discussing county lines to his contacts.

Despite being in prison, Garnett had communication channels with practically all members of the gang he controlled, the force said.

Videos found on the phone of another gang member, Gareth Burgess, 45, of Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire, but formerly of Blackpool, showed him walking through the resort, carrying a significant amount of cash, and rapping about his criminality.

Police identified from Garnett's phone his next-in-commands in the illegal enterprise were Shannon Hilton, Dalbir Sandhu and Jason Gerrand

A total of 15 gang members pleaded guilty at Preston Crown Court to drug offences between February 2023 and July 2024.

Garnett was sentenced to 19 years and six months, while Hilton was handed a 12-year jail term and Sandhu was sentenced to 10 years.

Gerrand was sentenced to eight years and three months and Burgess was jailed for seven years and four months.

Chloe Stott and Ryan Black were sentenced in their absence as they failed to appear at court for sentencing and a warrant is now out for their arrest.

Stott, 24, of Langdale Road, Blackpool, was sentenced to seven years while Black, 27, of Jameson Street, Blackpool, was sentenced to five years.

Videos on Shannon Hilton's phone also showed the bird playing with money gained through the gang's criminality

Det Sgt Anthony Alves said: "Enquiries are ongoing to locate Chloe Stott and Ryan Black, who both failed to appear at court.

"If you see them, or know where they may be, I would encourage you to let us know.

"We will continue to dismantle these gangs, whether they are operating behind bars or otherwise."