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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
World
Miriam Burrell

Rapper Nines arrested at Heathrow Airport over drug offences

Chart topping British rapper Nines has appeared in court facing cannabis-related charges after being arrested at Heathrow Airport.

The artist, whose real name is Courtney Freckleton, was arrested at the west London airport last Wednesday, Metropolitan Police confirmed to the Standard.

A video posted on TikTok appears to show the star with his hands cuffed behind his back, wearing a white T-shirt and cap and grey tracksuit bottoms, as he was escorted through the airport by several uniformed police officers.

The 33-year-old, who lives in Bushey, Hertsfordshire, had released his fifth album Crop Circle 3 a little over a month earlier.

The Harlesden-born rapper has been charged with being concerned in the supply of cannabis, a class B drug, the possession of cannabis, and three counts of the breach of an existing Serious Crime Prevention Order.

Nines allegedly did not tell police his home address and possessed a second phone and a laptop he had not registered with officers, Sky News reported court documents as saying.

He appeared in custody at Uxbridge Magistrates’ Court on Friday and was bailed to appear at Kingston Crown Court on December 15.

The arrest comes after a busy year for the prominent UK rapper. He released Crop Circle 3 just six months after his previous project Crop Circle 2.

His latest album features collaborations from London's rap scene and beyond including Skrapz, Bad Boy Chiller Crew, Big Narstie, Mugzz, Tunde, and Tiggs Da Author.

He was named best hip-hop act at the Mobo Awards in 2020 after his chart-topping third album Crabs in a Bucket.

The album beat heritage metal band Metallica to number one on its release, secured album of the year, seeing off competition from Stormzy, J Hus, Lianne La Havas and Mahalia.

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