Authorities caught UK-based rapper Nines importing 28kg of cannabis from Poland and Spain into the UK and sentenced him to 28 months in prison.

Nines, a.k.a., Courtney Freckleton, was using the encrypted messaging system EncroChat to arrange massive shipments of cannabis with an unknown exporter that goes by the name “MicroBird.”

Nines made waves across the UK with his top-charting album ‘Crabs In A Bucket’ and recently appeared at the court in northwest London alongside Jason Thompson. The two pleaded guilty to plotting the import of cannabis into the UK from Poland and Spain.

Harrow Crown Court was informed that boilers were used to smuggle and ship some of the cannabis to Poland. According to the court, the duo successfully imported parts of the initial shipment, but authorities caught their second attempt. The two also admitted to attempting to transfer illegal funds between March 10 and July 3 in 2020.

“What a waste of all of that talent, to be sat in Wormwood Scrubs,” said Judge Rosa Dean when sentencing Nines and Thompson to 28 months in jail. Nines was allegedly known as a “big boss” during these schemes, and he even referred to pot as “Cali” in the encrypted messages.

This isn’t the first time Nines was sentenced to jail time; the 31-year-old musician was found guilty of possessing cannabis with intent to supply and later served 18 months behind bars.