Ja Rule's DNA sought in gun case

NEW YORK, Feb. 28 (UPI) -- Prosecutors in New York are seeking a DNA sample from hip-hop artist Ja Rule in connection with a gun possession case, it was reported Thursday.

The New York Post said prosecutors want to swab the recording artist's cheeks and have the sample tested to see if his DNA matches what investigators found on a loaded, unlicensed handgun seized from Ja Rule's car in Manhattan last year.

Prosecutors hope the test will tie the rapper or one of his co-defendants -- driver Mohamed Gamal and passenger Dennis Cherry -- to the weapon, the report said.

The three men, who are opposing the DNA test, pleaded not guilty in Manhattan Supreme Court Wednesday.