English Prisoner Ran Drug Gang From Behind Bars — Until a Parrot Snitched on Them By Nicole Acosta

A talking parrot who repeated drug-dealing phrases helped authorities in busting a drug gang led by a prisoner in England, authorities said.

The group of 15 people, including ringleader Adam Garnett, 35, were all charged in connection with the case, though two did not plead guilty as they failed to appear in Preston Crown Court, the Lancashire Constabulary said in a press release shared on Monday, Aug. 4. The gang operated between February 2023 and July 2024 in Blackpool, England.

The operation was initially exposed during a prison cell search, when several cell phones and Wi-Fi routers were allegedly found in the possession of Garnett, who was already serving a prison sentence, police said.

An investigation led authorities to three of Garnett’s alleged associates — Dalbir Sandhu, Shannon Hilton, and Jason Gerrand — which ultimately prompted searches of their homes. During the searches, authorities seized drugs, including heroin, crack cocaine, ketamine and marijuana, as well as cash and cell phones, per the release. “These were forensically matched to the defendants,” police alleged.

As investigators looked through Hilton’s cell phone, they claimed they found several videos, some of which showed her “teaching her pet parrot to say ‘two for 25’ in front of a child” and “the parrot playing with money, which was gained through their illegal activities,” police said.

Other evidence included a history of video calls between Hilton and Garnett and clips that showed what appeared to be kilo blocks of cocaine, with music including the lyric “cocaine,” according to police.

Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up for PEOPLE’s free True Crime newsletter for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases.

“It was discovered that Garnett, as the leading member, and despite being in prison, was involved in the orchestration of moving evidence so that police could not find it and had communication channels with practically all the members of the organized crime group he controlled,” police said.

Police said a search of Burgess’ phone revealed videos of him flashing cash and rapping about his crimes. Meanwhile, Sandhu’s phone showed records of drug deals and price lists, per the release.

In total, 15 people were charged. Garnett was sentenced to 19 years and six months, which he will have to serve consecutive to his existing 15 year prison term, police said.

Hilton, 29, and Sandhu, 41, were convicted of similar charges and were sentenced to 12 years and 10 years in prison, respectively.

Two people, Chloe Stott, 24, and Ryan Black, 27, failed to appear in court for sentencing and warrants are out for their arrests, according to police.