Gray-haired grandmothers, as research shows, often become heads of criminal groups, and their requests are perceived as family obligations rather than criminal orders. Refusing to fulfill a request can be seen as betrayal. For example, 65-year-old Deborah led a gang that sold cocaine worth £80 million (about 8 billion rubles) over eight months before her arrest.
These women, from respected members of the local community to cat lovers managing millions in drug trafficking, play a significant role at all levels of the criminal hierarchy, doing so with grace.
The Europol report "Serious and Organized Crime Threat Assessment in the EU for 2025" emphasizes that women are increasingly becoming active participants in global criminal networks. Many of them use their femininity as a shield, remaining unnoticed by law enforcement.
Criminologist Alex Iszatt notes that female gangsters have always been part of organized crime, but their influence is often underestimated. In family criminal enterprises, the elderly woman occupies a central role, basing her power not on intimidation but on control over loyalty, history, and obligations.
Deborah Mason, known as the "Queen Bee," easily involved her family in drug trafficking, earning huge sums from it. She generously paid her relatives, each of whom earned over £1,000 (about 100,000 rubles) a month, while she enjoyed a luxurious lifestyle, including trips to Dubai.
However, her activities were halted, and last July, members of her gang were sentenced to 20 years in prison.
Grandmothers do not hide
Mason, arrested during a morning raid, exclaimed in surprise: "Me? No way!"
Another prominent figure in the criminal world was Morag Yorston, who, leading a gang, flooded the streets of Dundee with drugs. She was sentenced to five years and 11 months, but only after being returned from Bulgaria, where she had fled.
Chief Inspector Scott Fotheringham commented on the complexity of the operation to arrest Yorston, highlighting her significance in the criminal network.
Iszatt also notes that as women age, they become less noticeable to law enforcement, allowing them to manage financial flows and logistics while maintaining the appearance of respectable citizens.
Margaret Heaney, nicknamed "Big Megs," was a respected figure but engaged in drug trafficking with her close ones. She became a victim of her crimes when she was sentenced to 12 years for heroin trafficking.
The motives of such women are not always driven by a thirst for money. Often, they remain in the criminal environment, studying it from within. When the male members of the gang go to prison or die, it is the women who can retain power and control the situation.
Mafia godmothers
Assunta Maresca, known as "Pupetta," became the first "godmother" of the Camorra after she shot a man who killed her husband. She demonstrated brutality in her actions, strengthening her power in the criminal world.
Maria Licciardi, known as "Bloody Mary," also left her mark in the history of the Italian mafia, controlling numerous criminal operations and being involved in numerous murders.
Alex Iszatt emphasizes that the number of elderly women going to prison is increasing not due to rising criminal activity, but because law enforcement is beginning to recognize their influence.
Women use manipulation and psychological pressure to keep their subordinates in check, creating organizations that are harder to dismantle than those run by men.
This approach allows grandmothers in the mafia to hold high positions in the criminal hierarchy, and their harmless appearance should not be misleading.
