Criminal Matriarch Sentenced for Running a Family Drug Operation
Deborah Mason, a 65-year-old grandmother also known by her monikers “Gangsta Debbs” and “Queen Bee,” has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for orchestrating a drug trafficking operation that involved her family. The ruling was delivered at Woolwich Crown Court on July 19, 2025, following a detailed investigation by the Metropolitan Police that unveiled a sophisticated criminal operation spread across southeast England.
In April 2023, undercover officers observed Mason loading boxes into a hire car at a retail park near Harwich port after receiving intelligence about the vehicle’s journey from Islington. Shortly thereafter, she transferred a significant laundry bag to an unidentified male, a scenario her defense claimed was inconspicuous. However, the reality of her role within a drug syndicate soon unfolded.
Criminal Enterprise and Lavish Lifestyle
Mason was the matriarch of a crime family that included her four children, her sister, and other close relatives, all of whom were involved in the distribution of cocaine nationwide. The operation generated substantial profits, funding a lifestyle that featured extravagant purchases such as designer items for her pets and luxury vacations.
Over a span of seven months, the gang was implicated in the handling of approximately one tonne of cocaine, with potential wholesale values estimated between £25 million and £30 million, and a street value reaching up to £80 million. The organization relied on encrypted communication via the messaging app Signal to coordinate their operations, often under the watchful eyes of law enforcement.
Roles and Sentences
In a reveal of familial ties to crime, Mason involved her children in the operation, leading to significant prison sentences for all involved. Here’s a summary of the sentences handed down:
| Name | Sentenced To |
|---|---|
| Deborah Mason | 20 years |
| Reggie Bright | 15 years |
| Demi Kendall | 13.5 years |
| Lillie Bright | 13 years |
| Demi Bright | 11 years |
| Roseanne Mason | 11 years |
| Anita Slaughter | 13 years |
Each family member’s involvement in the conspiracy was marked by a desire for financial gain, rather than coercion, according to prosecutors. Judge Philip Shorrock emphasized Mason’s leadership role, reminding her of the responsibility she bore to foster positive values in her children instead of leading them into criminality.
As the law enforcement continues to crack down on drug trade associates, the case of Deborah Mason stands as a stark reminder of how family ties can intertwine with crime, laying waste to both personal and social values in pursuit of monetary rewards.
