MOBB DEEP - PRODIGY: 'DIRTY COPS TRIED TO MAKE ME FRAME 50 CENT'

PRODIGY: 'DIRTY COPS TRIED TO MAKE ME FRAME 50 CENT'

MOBB DEEP star PRODIGY has broken his silence over his 2006 gun scandal, claiming New York police illegally searched his car and attempted to force him into framing fellow rapper 50 CENT. The hip-hop star - real name Albert Johnson - pleaded guilty to gun possession charges after he was found with an unlicensed .22-caliber pistol in his Chevy Suburban last year (06) - but maintains the patrolmen who pulled him over for driving on the wrong side of the road had no right to search his vehicle. Johnson, 33, says, "The cops did something illegal, man - it needs to be known. In my case, they just searched my car without asking because they felt like they had the power to do that I guess. And they did it. They found a little gun in my car and they locked us up, locked me and (Mobb Deep producer) Alchemist up. "And then, on top of that, while I'm in there they're tellin' me, 'We'll rip up your arrest sheet, we'll rip up the arrest report and let you and your friend walk right now and forget this ever happened if you help us set 50 Cent up.'" But the 7th Heaven hitmaker insists he has come to terms with his upcoming three-and-a-half year jail sentence, which begins on 9 January (08). He adds, "I've never, ever had a vacation in my life. I've never stopped and said alright I'm gonna take a break today. "So by me goin' to jail right now, it's just givin' me a chance to stop, relax and just really get myself together. I'm goin on a little vacation, that's all."