'Gangster Granny' sentenced to prison for operating $100 million drug ring

Jessica Schladebeck, New York Daily News on Jul 19, 2025

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“Gangster Granny,” the 65-year-old leader of a U.K. crime family, and seven of her associates were sentenced to a combined 106 years in prison for dealing more than $100 million worth of cocaine across the country, officials announced Friday.

Deborah Mason, who’s also known as “Queen Bee” and “Gangsta Deb,” recruited her sister, her four children and others close to her family to work as couriers and distribute her product across London as well as Bradford, Leicester, Birmingham, Bristol and Cardiff, the Independent reported.

Over a span about seven months in 2023, Mason’s drug network peddled nearly a ton of cocaine with a street value of nearly $107 million.

“This was a sophisticated operation which was extremely profitable for those involved,” said Metropolitan Detective Constable Jack Kraushaar, who led the investigation.

Mason used the profits to fund her lavish lifestyle, which included extravagant vacations and a collection of luxury high-end designer goods. According to the BBC, she at one point purchased a Gucci collar and leash worth more than $500, and a nine-carat gold engraved name tag for her Bengal cat, Ghost.

Mason in April was found guilty of conspiracy to supply Class A drugs. A judge on Friday sentenced her to 20 years in prison.

“You recruited members of your own family — as a mother you should have been setting an example for your children and not corrupting them,” Judge Philip Shorrock said, per BBC News.

Mason’s associates, including her sister, three daughters and son, were meanwhile ordered to spend between 10 and 15 years behind bars.