A family-run drug trafficking gang, led by a 65-year-old woman dubbed “Gangster Granny,” has been sentenced to a combined 106.5 years in prison for their role in distributing nearly a tonne of cocaine worth up to £80 million on UK streets.
Deborah Mason, referred to by police as “Queen Bee,” was identified as the ringleader of the operation, which moved vast quantities of cocaine between April and November 2023 across cities including London, Cardiff, Leicester, Bristol, Bradford, and Birmingham. Mason, who orchestrated the network’s logistics and maintained direct contact with an upstream supplier known only as “Bugsy,” received a 20-year prison sentence at Woolwich Crown Court.
The gang’s wholesale drug consignments were valued between £23 million and £35 million, with street-level sales estimated at £80 million.
According to prosecutors, Mason used encrypted messaging apps with auto-delete features to communicate secretly with her supplier. She coordinated the group’s operations daily, ensured couriers were active, and recruited her own children, their partners, and friends into the enterprise. Despite receiving over £50,000 annually in benefits, she indulged in luxury shopping and planned cosmetic surgery in Turkey.
Family Members Involved
While Mason was vacationing in Dubai, her daughter, Roeseanne Mason, stepped up to manage operations. Roeseanne, 29, took part in seven deliveries moving approximately 166kg of cocaine and was sentenced to 11 years in prison.
Another daughter, Demi Bright, a 30-year-old mother of two, transported 60kg of cocaine in one trip, bringing her children along. She later attempted to distance herself from the operation but continued to assist her mother and even recruited others. She also received an 11-year sentence.
Lillie Bright, 26, was involved in 20 drug runs totaling 195kg. She and her partner, 23-year-old Chloe Hodgkin—who is currently pregnant—once transported drugs while traveling with Lillie’s toddler. Hodgkin is awaiting sentencing.
Reggie Bright, 24, carried out 12 trips delivering 90kg of cocaine. A long-term user and addict, he also managed finances for the group. Despite claiming ignorance of the gang’s scale, evidence from encrypted messaging apps proved his involvement. He was sentenced to 15 years.
His partner, Demi Kendall, 31, participated in 15 deliveries involving 98kg of drugs and frequently brought her child along. She even warned friends about the risks, saying a single bust could mean serious prison time. She received a 13-and-a-half-year sentence.
Other Members
- Tina Golding, 66, completed four deliveries totaling 75kg and received a 10-year sentence.
- Anita Slaughter, 44, who was recruited by Demi Bright and made a single trip distributing 55kg of cocaine, was sentenced to 13 years.
Prosecutor Charlotte Hole highlighted the gang’s financial motivations, estimating earnings of at least £1,000 per delivery. She emphasized that the conspirators were fully aware of the scale of the operation and stood to gain significant profits.
Judge Philip Shorrock condemned Mason for corrupting her own family, stating, “As a mother, you should have been setting an example—not leading them into crime.”
Investigation and Aftermath
Following the sentencing, Crown Prosecution Service prosecutor Robert Hutchinson remarked:
“This was far from a typical family. Deborah Mason didn’t care for her relatives—she exploited them to build a drug empire that landed them all in prison.”
Detective Constable Jack Kraushaar of the Met Police called it a “sophisticated” criminal network and warned others tempted by similar criminal paths:
“The gang was driven by greed, chasing luxury lifestyles. But they didn’t see us coming—and this sentencing sends a clear message.”
