**Drill Artist Digga D Sentenced to Nearly Four Years for Cannabis Supply**
Drill artist Digga D, whose real name is Rhys Herbert, has been sentenced to almost four years in prison for supplying 45kg of cannabis after being apprehended during an Instagram livestream. The 24-year-old musician from Notting Hill, London, pleaded guilty to two charges related to the importation and distribution of the Class B drug.
Herbert was arrested on February 21 of the previous year while streaming live on Instagram. During a two-day Newton hearing in December, prosecutors claimed that he was involved in supplying up to 60kg of cannabis, a charge he denied.
Appearing via video link from prison, Judge Simon Hirst expressed that he was “satisfied” that Herbert had possessed 50.65kg of cannabis and had sold at least 45kg for profit. “The level of the offending is so serious that there must be a sentence of imprisonment,” the judge stated, sentencing him to three years and 11 months. Herbert will serve half of his sentence in custody.
The prosecution highlighted that Herbert had six convictions for 13 previous offenses, including possession of a weapon and violent disorder. In his defense, James Scobie KC noted that Herbert operates independently, stating, “He does not have a team; this is very much a one-man band.” He emphasized the positive aspects of Herbert’s life as a performer and writer with international recognition, lamenting that he has spent at least a year of his productive career behind bars. “He’s not a danger to the public; he’s actually a contributor to the public,” Scobie added.
A letter from Herbert’s mother was presented in court, indicating that he has been reading the Bible daily while incarcerated and feels “remorseful for what he had done.”
Detective Constable Jacob Saville of the Metropolitan Police remarked, “Rhys Herbert has already admitted to his role in the importation and supply of large quantities of cannabis; now a judge has reviewed all of the evidence and determined he played a significant role in this operation.” He further stated, “Drugs and the associated criminality they bring devastate communities, and we will continue to identify and arrest those responsible who engage in this activity.