A grandmother, infamously known as the 'Gangster Granny', has been sentenced to prison for her role in a sprawling £80 million cocaine trafficking network. Deborah Mason, 64, was a key player in the operation, which saw vast quantities of the drug smuggled into the UK.
The Operation
Mason was part of an organised crime group that imported cocaine from South America, hiding it in shipments of fruit and vegetables. The gang's activities were uncovered following a lengthy investigation by the National Crime Agency (NCA).
The Arrest
Mason was arrested after police intercepted a delivery containing 100kg of cocaine, worth an estimated £4 million. Further investigations revealed her involvement in the wider network, which had been operating for several years.
The Sentence
At her trial, Mason was described as a 'trusted and integral' member of the gang. She was sentenced to 14 years in prison, with the judge noting the severity of her crimes and the impact on communities.
The case highlights the growing trend of older individuals being involved in high-level drug trafficking, challenging stereotypes about who engages in organised crime.
