Parrot Helps Police Bust Drug Ring in UK

Sometimes, the smallest clues can help solve big cases. Police often rely on technology or informants to catch criminals.

But in a surprising turn, a talking parrot helped British police break up a drug gang. This unusual witness played a key role in a major drug bust that led to long prison sentences for the gang members.

The Parrot Knew Drug Phrases

The story began in Blackpool, England, where police raided several homes looking for illegal drugs, according to Digi24.

Along with large amounts of heroin and cocaine, officers found a parrot named Mango. This wasn’t any ordinary bird.

Mango had been trained to say phrases used by drug dealers. One phrase caught the police’s attention: “two to 25.” This is a code that gang members use to talk about how many doses of drugs they are selling and at what price.

The gang was led by Adam Garnett, 35. Even though he was in prison from 2023 to 2024, he continued running his illegal business.

Guards searching his cell found phones with videos of Mango talking and playing with money Garnett made from selling drugs.

Police then focused on Garnett’s closest helpers: his girlfriend Shannon Hilton, 29, Dalbir Sandhu, 41, and Jason Gerrand, 50.

Prison Sentences

On Hilton’s phone, there was a video of her teaching Mango to say “two to 25” in front of a child.

In total, 15 gang members were found guilty of drug crimes from February 2023 to July 2024. Garnett got 19 years and six months in prison.

Hilton was sentenced to 12 years. Sandhu received 10 years, and Gerrand got eight years and three months. The other gang members were sentenced to between five and seven years each.

Thanks to a clever parrot, police were able to put away a dangerous drug gang for good.