US rapper Lil' Wayne attempted to conceal gun when police raided his tour bus following a show in New York last year, a police officer has claimed.

Diane Hornung boarded the bus in July 2007 because she had smelt marijuana and seen someone peeking through its curtains.

At a pre-trial hearing yesterday (September 8th), Ms Hornung told the court that after ordering everyone off the bus she discovered a man attempting to flush the drug down the toilet.

She then saw the Lil' Wayne, who was in his bedroom, trying to conceal a bag containg a .9mm handgun, the court heard.

The rapper, whose real name is Dwayne Michael, has pleaded not guilty to illegal gun possession.

Lil' Wayne's lawyer, Stacey Richman, argues that the case should be dropped because the police officer stopped the bus “without probable cause”.

If found guilty, the rapper, who has been one of the prolific artists of 2008, faces up to four years in prison.

(by Jason Gregory)