"Two for 25"... Parrot's Words Help Bust UK Drug Ring

A Parrot Playing With Bundles of Cash
Helps British Police in Investigation

A parrot in the UK has become the center of attention after it was revealed to have provided a crucial clue in the bust of a drug ring.

According to local media including the BBC on August 6 (local time), police in Blackpool, Lancashire, recently raided the home of Adam Garnett, a 35-year-old drug offender residing in Blackpool. During the raid, police discovered large quantities of drugs, including heroin and cocaine. While examining Garnett's confiscated mobile phone, they found a video of his girlfriend's pet parrot, "Mango," playing with bundles of cash.

Parrot "Mango" playing with money earned from drug dealing. Facebook post by Blackpool Police, UK

As a result, police expanded their investigation to include Garnett's girlfriend, Shannon Hilton, age 29. On Hilton's mobile phone, they discovered a video of her laughing as she taught her pet parrot Mango to say "two for 25," along with footage of Mango repeating the phrase. The phrase "two for 25" uttered by Mango was reportedly a code used within the drug trafficking organization to refer to the sale of two small bags of cocaine for 25 pounds.

British police used the videos, photos, and message records found on the phones of Garnett and Hilton, including footage of Mango speaking, as clues to continue their investigation. This led to the arrest of 15 members of the drug ring, including Garnett and Hilton. Investigations revealed that Garnett had continued to run the organization remotely while incarcerated in 2023 and 2024, issuing instructions to Hilton and other members using a smuggled mobile phone.

A UK court recently sentenced Garnett to 19 years and 6 months in prison and Hilton to 12 years in prison. All members of the organization received a combined total of 103 years in prison.