Nines charged with drug offences following Heathrow Airport arrest
The 33-year-old rapper was suspected of supplying cannabis
UK rapper and MOBO winner Nines has been charged with drug offences after he was arrested at Heathrow Airport last week, Sky News reports.
The 33-year-old rapper, real name Courtney Freckleton, has since been released on bail after appearing in court. He was held last Wednesday, November 15, according to the Metropolitan Police.
Freckleton was charged with being concerned in the supply of cannabis and possession of the drug, as well as three counts of breaching a serious crime prevention order.
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According to court documents, the rapper was alleged to have held back information on his home address, and possessed a second phone and laptop that he had not registered with police.
The Met Police told Sky News that Freckleton “appeared in custody at Uxbridge Magistrates' Court on Friday 17 November,” and “was bailed to appear at Kingston Crown Court on 15 December."
The arrest comes two years after Nines admitted to being part of a plot to import 28kg of cannabis into the UK. It followed the rapper’s arrest in June 2021, where he faced four drugs-related offence charges - one of which included conspiracy to supply cocaine.
A video circulating social media last week appeared to show Freckleton as he was arrested by police at the airport, being escorted by four plainclothes officers.
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The rapper did not enter pleas to any of the charges, per a court official, and was granted conditional bail by District Judge Kathryn Verghis.
Last month, Nines released his second studio record of the year, ‘Crop Circle 3’, peaking at number two in the UK charts. The record was dubbed a “stoner comedy”, and received critical acclaim across UK media.
Nines also hinted that ‘Crop Circle 3’ could be his last music project, dropping signs that he might quit music for good following his last album, ‘Crop Circle 2’, explaining: “'Bout to drop my last album / I'm getting old for rapping”.
[Via Sky News]
Gemma Ross is Mixmag's Assistant Editor, follow her on Twitter