UK's 'Queen Bee' Grandma Jailed for Running £80 Million Family Drug Empire

A 65-year-old grandmother, Deborah Mason, infamously nicknamed the 'Queen Bee', has been sentenced to prison for orchestrating a sprawling family-run drug empire that trafficked nearly £80 million (₦924 crore) worth of cocaine across the United Kingdom, according to The Metro.

Mason was identified as the mastermind behind the highly profitable operation, which moved almost one tonne of cocaine between April and November 2023. She enlisted her own relatives into the network, turning the criminal enterprise into a family affair. Couriers were reportedly paid £1,000 per day to transport drugs from London to major cities including Bradford, Leicester, Birmingham, Bristol, and Cardiff.

Lavish Lifestyle Built on Crime. Despite the scale of her operation, Mason didn't hide her illicit wealth. Authorities found photographs of her posing with bundles of cash and boasting about earning £90,000 from drug trafficking. Meanwhile, she was also fraudulently claiming £50,000 in state benefits.

The prince's death, which occurred at a specialised medical facility in Saudi Arabia, marks the end of a long, emotional chapter that resonated deeply within the Kingdom and beyond.

According to The Guardian, she spent her drug profits on designer goods and was allegedly planning to travel to Turkey for cosmetic surgery. Some young mothers involved in the operation were even seen taking their children along on drug pick-ups, further highlighting the disturbing normalcy of the operation within her circle.

A Family Affair Ends in Prison Time. In total, Mason and seven members of her gang received a combined sentence of 106.5 years in prison. Authorities described the criminal enterprise as "extraordinarily profitable" and a major supplier of Class A drugs throughout England and Wales."

Mason, who maintained direct contact with a higher-level supplier known only as "Bugsy", was found guilty of conspiracy to supply Class A drugs. She was sentenced to 20 years in prison.

Judge's Rebuke: 'You Should Have Set an Example'. Presiding over the case, Judge Shorrock condemned Mason's role in corrupting her own family, stating:

"You were effectively the site foreman, working under the direction of a site manager."

He further scolded her: "You recruited members of your own family. As a mother, you should have been setting an example for your children — not leading them into criminality."

The judge also expressed concern over the involvement of women with young children, emphasizing that their presence in such operations only makes it easier for unscrupulous drug dealers to manipulate and exploit vulnerable individuals.