Mother and Grandmother Sentenced for Involvement in Family Cocaine Ring
A young mother from Kent has been handed a 12-year prison sentence for her participation in a large-scale family-run cocaine supply operation that spanned the country. Chloe Hodgkin, aged 23, was convicted as part of an organised crime group led by her 65-year-old grandmother, Deborah Mason, who was known as the 'Queen Bee'.
Details of the Cocaine Conspiracy
Hodgkin, who was 21 at the time of the offences, was found guilty of conspiracy to supply Class A drugs in April last year. The court heard that she was involved in the delivery of 155 kilograms of cocaine, contributing to a broader operation that supplied nearly a ton of the substance over a seven-month period. Six other women, one man, and Mason have already received combined prison sentences totalling 106 years and six months for their roles in this extensive drug network.
Sentencing and Mitigating Factors
During the hearing at Woolwich Crown Court, defence solicitor Charles Langley acknowledged that Hodgkin played a 'significant role' in the conspiracy but argued it was 'lesser than others involved'. Judge Philip Shorrock noted that it was unlikely she had been 'unaware of the scale' of the operation, stating: 'You dealt with others who were heavily involved in the supply.'
Her sentence was reduced by two years due to the potential impact on her child, by a further 12 months because of a medical condition that would worsen in prison, and another 12 months in light of her young age at the time the offences were committed. The court specified that she will have to serve at least half of her sentence. Hodgkin expressed gratitude that the judge allowed her to give birth outside of custody and spend time with her child before sentencing, with the court noting she had become a 'different person' since becoming a mother.
Lifestyle Funded by Drug Profits
Police investigations revealed that Mason used the profits from the drug ring to fund an extravagant lifestyle. This included purchasing a Gucci collar and a lead worth £400 for her cat, as well as numerous luxury outdoor garden items. The group also booked various holidays and bought luxury goods with their illicit earnings, highlighting the lavish spending enabled by their criminal activities.
Broader Context and Co-Defendants
Hodgkin made multiple trips alongside her partner, Lillie Bright, aged 26, who was sentenced to 13 years in prison. This case underscores the severe legal consequences for involvement in organised drug trafficking, particularly when it involves family networks. The sentencing reflects the judiciary's approach to balancing punishment with considerations for personal circumstances, such as family ties and health issues.
