Rapper Rhys Herbert ordered to repay £200,000 drug profits

Rhys Herbert, a drill rapper from West London also known as Digga D, has been ordered to repay £200,000 of money prosecutors say was made from drug dealing. The Proceeds of Crime Act order was made by Lincoln Crown Court on September 21. Herbert, who grew up in Ladbroke Grove, had previously been sentenced to three years and 11 months in prison for importing and selling cannabis.

According to reports from the BBC, the court found Herbert had gained £201,039. He was also ordered to pay £2,000 in court costs. Herbert was released from HMP Brixton on October 6 last year, after serving part of his sentence. Details regarding his licence conditions were not made public.

Cannabis Supply Role

Herbert was arrested near Lincoln on February 21 last year while livestreaming on Instagram. During a Newton hearing in December, prosecutors argued Herbert was involved in supplying up to 60kg of cannabis, a claim he denied. Appearing via video link from HMP Wormwood Scrubs, Judge Simon Hirst stated he was satisfied Herbert had been in possession of 50.65kg of cannabis and had sold at least 45kg for profit.

The judge told Herbert: “I am satisfied you were involved in supplying at least 45kg. It is agreed you had a significant role on the basis you expected significant financial advantage.” The judge added that the seriousness of the offending warranted a prison sentence.

Prosecutor Aaron Dinnes told the court that Herbert had six previous convictions for 13 offences, including possession of a blade and violent disorder. James Scobie KC, representing Herbert, described the drug supply involvement as a first offence for his client. He stated Herbert did not operate with a large team, describing his operation as a "one-man band" and that he had directed a friend on one occasion to collect drugs.

Mr Scobie also highlighted Herbert's positive aspects, noting his international notoriety and following as a performer and writer. He expressed that it was "very, very sad and disappointing" that Herbert had lost at least a year of his productive working life to imprisonment, adding that he is "not a danger to the public, he’s actually a contributor to the public."