Rapper arrested at airport

BURBANK — Recording artist Cordozar “Snoop Dog” Broadus was arrested at the Bob Hope Airport on Thursday after police reportedly found a firearm and marijuana in his possession.

Burbank-Glendale-Pasadena Airport Authority Police approached Broadus, 35, at about 3:45 p.m. in the passenger loading zone in front of the main terminal for an alleged vehicle-code violation, Burbank Police Sgt. Kevin Grandalski said.

Questioned by police about the contents of his car, Broadus, a convicted felon, informed police that he was in possession of a handgun, airport spokesman Victor Gill said.

“Whatever the encounter was, it gave [airport police] cause to want to ask him about things in his car and the discussion ultimately led to the fact that he had an unloaded pistol,” Gill said. “He volunteered that information and that became cause for his arrest, given his criminal record.”

As a felon, Broadus is forbidden from carrying a firearm and doing so is a felony.

He was transported to the Burbank Jail and booked on charges of suspicion of felon in possession of a firearm and transportation of a controlled substance — in this case, marijuana, Grandalski said.

Burbank Police did not disclose the amount of suspected marijuana.

Broadus’ felony conviction occurred in June 1990 on charges of possession of narcotics for sale. He was convicted in 1997 of being an ex-felon in possession of a handgun.

Broadus’s criminal past includes being charged as an accomplice to the shooting death of gang member Phillip Woldermarian. Represented by attorney Johnnie Cochran, Broadus was acquitted of all charges except voluntary manslaughter, which was dropped after the jury deadlocked on the remaining charge.

Broadus rose to acclaim in the 1990s as a protégé of rapper Dr. Dre, as a contributor to his album, “The Chronic.” His first album, “Doggystyle” was the first debut album to enter the Billboard charts at the top spot.

He also has credits as a music producer and movie actor in films such “Baby Boy,” “Soul Plane” and “Old School.”

Broadus posted $35,000 bond at Burbank Jail. He’s set to be arraigned Monday in Burbank Superior Court.