Watch: Talking parrot helps cops burst drug gang in the UK

UK police found an unlikely ally in a talking parrot named Mango helped burst a massive drug gang in Lancashire. The bird was found squawking drug-dealing slang in a video.

The police found the recordings of the parrot repeating cocaine prices among other things, leading to the gang members being sentenced to a collective total of 103 years in jail.

“What’s the most talented thing your pet can do? Sit? Give paw? How about speak?” Lancashire Police wrote on Facebook. Adding about the drug dealer's parrot, Mango, the police explained how it helped the cops to bust the gang.



The parrot was seen repeating "two for 25" in videos. The police found the footage upon raiding the house in Shanon Hilton. They said that the words are “part of common language used by the organised crime gang,” that the owner’s boyfriend, Adam Garnett, ran.

“Not a phrase you want your parrot squawking when the police come knocking!”

Additionally, police also discovered many videos, one of which shows Hilton teaching the parrot drug-related phrases in front of a child.

A total of 14 people were jailed for “a total of more than 103 years.”

What the police say

“As Mango the parrot played with illegally gained money, the gang members rapped about their drug dealing, boasting of their criminal exploits. The leader of the gang, Adam Garnett was already serving a 15-year prison sentence when a number of phones and WIFI routers were found in his cell. Following enquiries after this find, Garnett’s second-in-command associates were identified as Dalbir Sandhu, Shannon Hilton and Jason Gerrand,” the department wrote.

The police also found “cash, heroin, crack cocaine, ketamine and cannabis, plus mobile phones.”

Social media users react

Social media users were amused by Mango and found the funnier side of the incident. One comment read “How do we know the parrot wasn’t in charge? He’s clearly holding the money.” Another posted, “Will the parrot go into witness protection if he gives evidence?”

Further, a user wrote, “Parrots are the perfect crime companions, especially African greys, with a potential lifespan of up to 100 years with proper care, a ten stretch is nothing to them.”

“These people ran a sophisticated operation to supply class A drugs across Blackpool. Garnett continued to run his operation whilst in prison, communicating with the members of his organised crime gang through illegal methods,” said DS Anthony Alves of West Targeted Crime Team in a police statement.

“Successful outcomes like this demonstrate officers' tireless work to protect the public and show that Lancashire is taking a relentless approach to tackling organised crime. I remain fully committed to supporting the Chief Constable, ensuring our officers and staff have the resources they need to dismantle criminal gangs, drive offenders out of our communities, and deliver justice,” said Clive Grunshaw, Lancashire Police and Crime Commissioner.