Barbados businessman remanded over huge drugs bust

(Barbados Nation) Businessman George Reginald Ivan Parris has been remanded to HMP Dodds.

This is after he appeared before Chief Magistrate Christopher Birch in the St Matthias Magistrates’ Court yesterday morning.  The 56-year-old man, who is also the father of four, was not required to plead that on February 14 he had in his possession 1 028.4 kgs of cannabis, estimated at $9 049 920, with intent to supply and traffic.

He was also charged with possession of 22.7kgs of cocaine, estimated at $1 135 000, with intent to supply and traffic on the same date.

Parris, who was represented by Queen’s Counsel Michael Lashley and Hal Gollop, and Dayna Taylor-Lavine and Khadisha Wickham, was further not required to plead to importation of cannabis and cocaine between February 5 and 6.

According to police reports, the Drug Squad, Canine Division, the Customs Enforcement Division and the Barbados Coast Guard conducted a search of a container shipped to a business in St John.

During a search of the container, which contained recycled paper, a large quantity of cocaine and marijuana was found.

He returns to court on March 19.