Rapper took up cannabis at 12, court hears

BBC Digga D is singing into a wireless mic. His hear is in fat braids and he is wearing a black jacket over a black t-shirt and a thick gold chain necklace around his neck.

UK rapper Digga D told a court he has been using cannabis since the age of 12 to help with his frequent migraines.

The drill star, whose real name is Rhys Herbert, admitted importing 3kg (6.6lbs) of the Class B drug after he was arrested near Lincoln in the early hours of 21 February while broadcasting on Instagram Live.

He pleaded guilty in May to a charge of smuggling cannabis relating to 11 July 2023, and supplying cannabis between 26 October 2022 and 21 February 2024.

However, during a trial of the issue, known as a Newton Hearing, at Lincoln Crown Court, the 24-year-old denied importing up to 60kg (132lbs) of cannabis for commercial sale.

The two-day hearing has been held in front of Judge Simon Hirst, who will decide on the level of Herbert’s drug dealing after the prosecution did not accept the basis of his pleas.

Giving evidence via a video link from HMP Wormwood Scrubs, where he is currently on remand, the rapper said he began using cannabis from the age of 12 and used the drug throughout his teenage years to “help with his frequent migraines”.

The court heard it was “a benefit” for Herbert to buy his cannabis in bulk as he could afford it and it proved cheaper.

His defence barrister, James Scobie KC, previously told the court the artist had earnings in excess of £3m at the time of the alleged large-scale drug dealing activity.

On Tuesday, prosecutors suggested a message on Herbert’s phone referring to “40 in the air” was in relation to the importation of about 18kg (635oz) of cannabis.

Digga D wearing his hair in braids, a black jacket over a black t-shirt and a thick chain necklace around his neck. He is looking down to the ground.

Herbert told the court it was a “fictional chat” and said he had no knowledge of 18kg coming into the country at that time.

He said he also obtained bags of cannabis to use in the video for his hit song I’m From.

The musician said buying in bulk also reduced the chance of him coming to the attention of the police as he was often stopped both in London and elsewhere in the country.

The trial was previously told the 24-year-old was a heavy user of cannabis and had supplied socially to others in the music industry including his entourage.

He was also supplying to three people who lived with him at his address in Bracebridge Heath, near Lincoln.

However, prosecutors claim he was involved in commercial transactions of up to 60kg.

Mr Scobie said the artist was selling about 5kg (11lbs) of the Class B drug on a “sporadic” commercial basis – making a small profit of £300-£400 on each deal.

The court heard two sets of weighing scales and a cannabis grinder were recovered from Herbert’s London home on Lonsdale Road in Notting Hill, where he lived with his mother.

Mobile phone footage of the star handling a bag of cannabis and allegedly complaining about the poor quality was played to the judge.

A number of photographs also showed Herbert handling large amounts of cash, the prosecution claimed.

Mr Scobie said Herbert was an internationally recognised musician with a legitimate income and made videos which demonstrated large amounts of cash.

The hearing was adjourned until 31 January when the judge will give his ruling and pass sentencing.

Listen to highlights from Lincolnshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here.