Rapper Nines faces prison over cannabis import plot.
UK Rapper "Nines", who last year topped the album chart with his album "Crabs in a Bucket", has admitted his involvement in a plot to import 28kg of cannabis into the UK from Spain and Poland.
The chart-topping star, real name Courtney Freckleton, 31, won the "Best Hip Hop" act at the coveted MOBO awards last year. Nines has pleaded guilty to charges of money laundering and drug charges alongside accomplice Jason Thompson, 35.
Nines first found fame in 2017 with his debut album "One Foot Out", reaching the top 4 of the UK Albums Chart. His back catalogue of songs has racked up millions of "likes", streams and views on platforms such as YouTube. Nines has also previously collaborated musically with big-name artists, including Dave, Ray BLK and SL.
Nines of Barbican, central London, and Thompson, of Barnet, north London have denied two further counts of conspiracy to supply cannabis and conspiracy to supply cocaine, for which the prosecution will not be seeking a trial.
The Crown Court in Harrow heard this week how the two had been involved in one successful bid to import cannabis, whilst there had also been another attempt made. Sentencing has been adjourned for sentencing with the pair remanded in custody on August 12th and looking at facing lengthy jail sentences.
Nines and Thompson were arrested in June following police raids across London, Borehamwood and Hertfordshire. This operation is thought to have come about through Police infiltration of the encrypted messaging service Encrochat.
The Encrochat network, infamously used worldwide by suspected criminals, was compromised when French investigators hacked it last year.
Both Nines and Thompson admitted conspiracy to import the Class B drug into the UK from Poland and Spain and conspiracy to transfer laundered cash between March and July 2020.
Prosecution evidence revealed that the plot had involved a total amount of 28kg of cannabis—the money laundering charge related to a £98,000 debt, along with the value of the drugs.
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Liz Filmer
