Rapper Nelly arrested on drug charges in Tennessee


A Tennessee state trooper arrested internationally known hip-hop artist Nelly on felony drug charges in Putnam County on Saturday morning, WHBQ-TV in Memphis reports.
Nelly, whose real name is Cornell Haynes, was charged with felony possession of drugs, simple possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.

About 9:20 a.m. Saturday, Trooper Michael Loftis stopped a bus on Interstate 40 for failure to display a U.S. Department of Transportation and International Fuel Tax Association sticker, according to the Tennessee Highway Patrol report. The trooper said he planned to conduct an inspection on the bus when he noticed an odor of marijuana.
Loftis and Sgt. Donald Jennings then conducted a probable-cause search of the bus. The troopers said they discovered in the sleeper area a plastic bag that contained five colored crystal-type rocks that tested positive for methamphetamine, as well as a small amount of marijuana and other drug paraphernalia. Further investigation reportedly revealed about 100 small Ziploc bags commonly associated with the sale of narcotics and numerous handguns.
The bus was occupied by six people, one of whom was identified as Brian Jones, 44, of St. Louis. Jones, a convicted felon, was also in possession of a handgun and was charged accordingly, the police report said.

Nelly, 40, also of St. Louis, and Jones were transported to the Putnam County Jail. Nelly was released on a $10,000 bond and is scheduled to appear in court June 19. Read the full story here.

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