Gang Leader Sentenced for Major Drug Operation
Deborah Mason, a 65-year-old woman from North London, has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for her involvement in a significant drug trafficking operation. Known as “Queen Bee” and “gangster granny,” Mason was a key player in a gang that distributed nearly one tonne of cocaine throughout the U.K. over a seven-month period.
On July 18, the Woolwich Crown Court sentenced Mason and seven others connected to this illegal enterprise to a total of over 106 years in prison. The cocaine was estimated to have a wholesale value of between £23 million to £35 million ($31 million to $47 million) and could be worth as much as £80 million ($107 million) on the streets.
Mason was found guilty of conspiracy to supply Class A drugs after a trial. She coordinated the drug supply chain and maintained connections with an upstream supplier known as “Bugsy.”
Detective Constable Jack Kraushaar, who led the police investigation, described the operation as highly organized and profitable for those involved. He emphasized the crucial role the police played in disrupting this gang, helping to keep drugs off the streets and reducing associated violence and harm to communities.
Among the other defendants were Mason’s sister, her children, and even their partners. Sentences for her relatives ranged from 10 to 15 years, with one member awaiting sentencing due to her pregnancy.
Mason had managed her criminal activities from her home while living a lavish lifestyle, including expensive trips and designer shopping. This case highlights how she recruited her family into a dangerous life of crime rather than fostering a supportive family environment.
