A man from Cardiff, Calvin Parris, used a clever disguise to sell drugs during the Covid lockdown before escaping to Portugal for four years. Parris, 34, recently faced justice in Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court where he was sentenced to 12 years behind bars for his involvement in an organized crime group’s conspiracy to supply cocaine. According to the court, Parris had connections with high-ranking individuals in the criminal network who were responsible for distributing a massive amount of Class A drugs in south Wales and the valleys region, particularly during the lockdown period.
Parris managed to flee the UK on November 29, 2020, following the arrest of some of his accomplices. However, his run came to an end on October 3, 2024, when he was apprehended in Portugal. Upon his return to the UK, South Wales Police took him into custody, highlighting his use of various aliases on encrypted messaging platforms like Encrochat as a tactic to avoid detection while engaging in criminal activities. The prosecution revealed that Parris had received 7kg of cocaine and was in possession of another 5kg meant for distribution before it was intercepted.
Despite his attempts to evade law enforcement, Parris finally faced the consequences of his actions in court. While the prosecutor argued against reducing his sentence for an early guilty plea due to his prolonged evasion, Parris’s defense lawyer emphasized his client’s remorse and efforts towards rehabilitation while incarcerated. Acknowledging the impact of his crimes on society, Parris received a reduced sentence of 12 years, with a requirement to serve at least half of it before being eligible for release on license. Judge Jeremy Jenkins considered Parris’s role as a trusted collaborator within the criminal organization and deemed his previous conviction in sentencing, emphasizing the severity of the drug-related offenses
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