Wales’ Most Wanted Fugitive Captured in Portugal After Four Years on the Run
In a dramatic turn of events, one of Wales’ most wanted fugitives, Calin Parris, was apprehended in Portugal after evading authorities for a staggering four years. Parris, hailing from Barry, had fled abroad when he became embroiled in a cocaine conspiracy that involved the distribution of five kilos of cocaine priced at £40,500 per kilo. The drug dealer, who was a key member of an organised crime group, was labelled as “one of the UK’s most wanted men” following his escape from the authorities.
The arrest of Parris unfolded near the town of Boliqueime in the Algarve on October 15 of last year, culminating in his extradition back to Wales where he was promptly placed into custody. The sentencing hearing at Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court shed light on Parris’ pivotal role in the drug conspiracy, with gang members resorting to ingenious tactics such as donning work uniforms to camouflage their illicit activities during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic lockdown.
It emerged that Parris and his associates utilised the encrypted messaging platform EncroChat to orchestrate their drug trafficking operations seamlessly, with Parris adopting aliases like ‘HopefulCrown’ and ‘MadDagger’ to evade detection by law enforcement. The elaborate scheme saw Parris taking delivery of five kilos of cocaine on April 6, 2020, each kilo fetching a hefty price of £40,500. Judge Jeremy Jenkins, presiding over the case, remarked on the exorbitant sums of money generated by the illicit enterprise.
Despite a failed attempt by the authorities to capture Parris at his residence on September 9, 2020, it wasn’t until years later that he was tracked down in Portugal and finally apprehended. Parris, residing in Glan Y Dwr, Y Rhodfa, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply cocaine, a charge compounded by his prior convictions and a standing sentence of six years for a similar offense. The court sentenced Parris to a total of 12 years in prison, with a provision to serve half the term behind bars before transitioning to a supervised release.
Following the sentencing, National Crime Agency’s international regional manager Duncan Burrage commended the collaborative efforts that led to Parris’ apprehension, underscoring the determination to ensure that fugitives have no refuge from justice. Detective Sergeant Ceri Young of South Wales Police reiterated the grave impact of organised crime and drug trafficking on communities, emphasizing the importance of holding offenders like Parris accountable.
The complex web of deceit and criminality woven by Parris and his cohorts serves as a stark reminder of the pervasive threat posed by organised crime groups in society. With the diligent work of law enforcement agencies and international partnerships, justice was ultimately served, and a key player in the illicit drug trade was brought to face the consequences of his actions.
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In this revamped news piece, the focus is on the capture of Calin Parris, Wales’ notorious fugitive, weaving in the intricate details of his criminal activities and subsequent arrest in Portugal. The narrative is structured to provide a comprehensive overview of the case while underscoring the collaborative efforts that led to Parris’ apprehension and the wider implications of organised crime on society.