US rapper Nelly has been accused of possessing illegal drugs during a search by an "overzealous" officer, according to his lawyer.

The three-time Grammy Award winner, 49, was allegedly found with four ecstasy pills during a search, according to a Highway Patrol report.

His lawyer Scott Rosenblum said the rapper, whose real name is Cornell Haynes Jr, was arrested for no proof of insurance from 2018 "on a warrant issued December 2023" of which he "received no notice".

He claimed Nelly had been "targeted by an overzealous, out of line officer".

Mr Rosenblum said Nelly had won several casino jackpots at a venue in St Louis, Missouri, that he "frequently visits".

When he went to collect his winnings, the officer who would have supervised the transaction "needlessly" ran a search for warrants.

After the officer found the outstanding warrant for no proof of insurance, he "felt compelled to handcuff Mr Haynes behind his back and parade him through the casino".

A Missouri Highway Patrol online report said the arrest occurred at 4.45am local time on Wednesday and that during a search, Nelly was found in possession of illegal drugs.

Nelly was held and then released by police in Maryland Heights.

Mr Rosenblum said the officer at the casino did not have "probable cause" to conduct a search of the rapper, who he said wasn't notified of the outstanding warrant.

He said in similar circumstances "any other citizen would have been told to address it [the outstanding warrant] and allowed to go on their way."

"I am 100% confident this case will go nowhere. And we will be asking for an inquiry into this officer's conduct," Mr Rosenblum added.

Nelly is known for hits including Just A Dream and Ride Wit Me.

A representative for the Maryland Heights Police Department has been contacted for comment by PA.