$10m drug accused seeking bail

BUSINESSMAN George Reginald Ivan Parris, who was charged with importing over $10 million in drugs, will know “soon” if he will walk out of HMP Dodds on bail.

His lead attorney Michael Lashley, QC, told the DAILY NATION yesterday he had filed for bail in the High Court and was awaiting a date to make his submissions.

Parris, 57, of No. 318 Inchcape Terrace, Well House, St Philip, and who is owner of R& R Iron Works Inc. and Construction and Ace Recycling Ltd., was not required to plead that on February 14 he had 1 028.4 kilogrammes of marijuana and 39.5 grammes of cigarettes, with an estimated street value of $9 050 315, with intent to supply and traffick.

Also cocaine

He was also charged with having 22.7 kilogrammes of cocaine, worth $1 135 000, with intent to supply and traffick on the same date.

Parris, a father of four, was further not required to plead to importation of ganja and cocaine between February 5 and 6.

He appeared before Chief Magistrate Christopher Birch in St Matthias Magistrates’ Court, who denied his defence team’s plea for bail on Tuesday.

Parris returns on March 19. (RA)