Rapper Nelly detained in Mexico border drugs bust

STAR rapper Nelly was detained near the Mexico border after cops uncovered a loaded gun and drugs stash on his tour bus.

US checkpoint officers found dozens of sachets of heroin and a duffel bag containing over 4.5kg of cannabis during a routine stop on Wednesday evening in Sierra Blanca, Texas.

Shockingly, a loaded .45 calibre pistol was also discovered amongst the drugs.

But police eventually released the Grammy-winning rapper and arrested one of his seven-strong entourage, who took responsibility for the items.

In a statement released yesterday, Nelly, 37, said: "It is my understanding a member of my staff made an unfortunate decision to bring unlawful materials onto our tour bus that resulted in his arrest.

Bust ... the desert plains near Sierra Blanca, where cops raided Nelly's tour bus (not in shot)

"Neither I nor anyone else on the tour bus was aware of his decision to bring these on board."

Singer Willie Nelson and rapper Snoop Dogg were stopped at the same Sierra Blanca checkpoint for suspected drug possession in January.

A spokesman for the Hudspeth County sheriff said Nelly's tour bus had pulled into the Border Patrol checkpoint when a dog detected the presence of controlled substances.

Fellow passenger Brian Keith Jones admitted the drugs and weapon belonged to him, he added.