Rapper DMX was arrested again early Friday on suspicion of animal abuse and drug possession. A SWAT team with the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office raided his home to serve arrest and search warrants and indicted him on felony drug possession and misdemeanor animal cruelty charges.

According to sheriff’s spokesman Capt. Paul Chagolla, the rapper, whose real name is Earl Simmons, tried to barricade himself in his bedroom, before the Swat team entered his north Phoenix residence. After the arrest, the team discovered weapons, drugs and five pit bull puppies, which were immediately taken to a nearby prison, where they will be cared by female inmates.

The indictment stems from an August search of the rapper's home prompted by reports of dogs being abused on his property. Then, he was arrested for neglecting his dogs. The neighbours alerted the police in connection with the rapper’s dogs who were constantly barking and were allegedly tied up and locked in the house without food and water. Police officers also found the buried remains of three other dogs, firearms and marijuana.

"A guy like this DMX character with all his money and fame has no excuse for not providing proper care for his animals," said Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio regarding the seven-month-old investigation into reports that the rapper wasn't properly taking care of his dogs. "He has a long criminal history and obviously has no respect for the law."

Simmon’s lawyer, Murray Richman, said he warned his client about such a raid after he tried for several times to make DMX available to law enforcement.

"I anticipated it, I explained to my client what was going to happen," Richman said. "I think that the animal cruelty is not going to be able to be established and I think that this is Sheriff Joe's moment."

The rapper has had previous problems with the law, including an arrest Tuesday for speeding and reckless driving after stationary cameras caught him travelling at speeds over 100 mph (161 kph).