Rhys Herbert, better known by his stage name, Digga D, has been accused of conspiring to supply drugs in the UK. The drill artist was selling between 5kg and 60kg of cannabis on a commercial level, including to his friends in the music industry, according to prosecutors in a Lincoln Crown Court trial. Herbert had already pleaded guilty to smuggling cannabis and supplying it after he was arrested broadcasting on Instagram Live in February. A decision has yet to be made as to whether he played a leading role in supplying the drug.
Earlier this week, defense barrister James Scobie said Herbert was a “heavy user” of cannabis and would share it “socially” with his “entourage”. Herbert admitted to importing 3kg (6.6 pounds) of cannabis and selling around 5kg (11 pounds) on a “sporadic” basis for a profit of £300-400 each time, Scobie added. Meanwhile, prosecutors presented messages from Herbert’s phone and photographs of him with large sums of cash as evidence he played a bigger role in the drug trade. A conviction could result in a lengthy prison term.
Herbert follows a long line of UK drill artists who have faced drug charges. UK drill is a sub-genre of rap music that has become increasingly popular in recent years among young people as well as artists, and grime musicians have found chart success. However, the music has often been criticized as glorifying violence in its lyrics, and the Metropolitan Police in London have previously called for greater censorship of drill tracks deemed violent or promoting gang culture.
Herbert, who is currently remanded in custody, is one of the UK’s most popular drill performers, with millions of views for his tracks online. He faced criticism last year over lyrics on a recent single that were seen by some listeners as glorifying knife crime. The judge has not yet decided Herbert’s role in the cannabis conspiracy, but the case once again highlights the increasing role of drill music in London’s drug trade
Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More
