Justin Bieber was targeted in a murder plot by a convicted killer in New Mexico, according to a local report.

Las Cruces prison inmate Dana Martin recruited Mark Staake and his nephew Tanner Ruane to castrate and murder the 18-year-old singer in New York City last month, KRQE News reports.

Bieber was in town performing at Madison Square Garden at the time.

The motive for the alleged plot is currently unknown.

Martin is serving two life sentences for raping and killing a 15-year-old girl in 2000.

He reportedly told police the trio planned to kidnap Bieber and his bodyguard and strangle them with paisley ties.

The convict, who has a tattoo of Bieber on his leg, once used paisley ties as his calling card.

Ruane planned to castrate Bieber and his bodyguard, it is alleged.

The news outlet reports Martin alerted authorities about the plot before it could be carried out.

Mark Staake was subsequently arrested in Vermont on outstanding warrants.

Tanner Ruane was reportedly found with a pair of pruning sheers when he was arrested in New York City.

- © Fairfax NZ News