On-the-run drug dealer wore uniform as disguise
A drug dealer who was one of the UK's most wanted men disguised himself in uniforms and workwear to travel while on the run for four years in Portugal, a court has heard.
Calvin Parris, 34, from Cardiff, has now been jailed for12 years at Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court.
The court heard that Parris, who pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply cocaine, had been dealing with individuals "at the very top of an organised crime group".
Judge Jeremy Jenkins said the gang had been "flooding south Wales and the valleys area with Class A drugs", with a "truly staggering" amount of cocaine, during the Covid lockdown period.
Man admits cocaine charges after four years on run
Most wanted man caught after four years on the run
Parris was believed to have left the UK on 29 November 2020, after some of his co-conspirators had already been arrested.
He was finally detained in Portugal on 3 October 2024, and was escorted back to the UK two weeks later and taken into custody by South Wales Police.
The court heard that Parris had used different usernames on an encrypted messaging service, Encrochat, in 2020 which "demonstrated his fear of being detected" but also indicated at "further criminality".
These included 7kg of cocaine which the prosecution said was supplied to him, as well as a further 5kg which was intended to be supplied, but had been intercepted.
Prosecutor Luke Blackburn said giving Parris a reduction in his sentence for an early guilty plea would be "against the spirit" of the law, given that he had deliberately evaded authorities for so long.
But Oliver Cook, defending, said Parris had "travelled lawfully to Portugal" before he had been arrested or faced any charges, and so should be entitled to the same sentence reduction for an early guilty plea as others.
Mr Cook said Parris had shown "real remorse" for his action and already taken steps to reform himself while in prison.
"There is acknowledgement of the impact his offending has had on those around him… and society as a whole," he added.
Sentencing Parris, Judge Jeremy Jenkins said the amount of cocaine in question had been "truly staggering" and Parris had been a "trusted co-conspirator" of the gang.
He said Parris's previous drugs conviction was considered in sentencing, but that since he "did not abscond" and was not under arrest at the time, he would be entitled to credit for his guilty plea.
A starting point of 18 years was reduced to 12 years, with at least half served in custody, after which Parris would be released on license.
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