Snoop's Baton Beating the Rap?

Mon., Oct. 23, 2006 9:31 PM PDT by Natalie Finn

Airlines are once again letting you sip on gin 'n' juice during flights. Transporting potentially lethal weapons, however, is still a no-no.

As of Monday, Orange County prosecutors were still mulling over whether to file charges against Snoop Dogg for allegedly attempting to carry a weapon aboard a flight from the O.C. to New York last month.

Snoop, whose real name is Calvin Broadus, was detained Sept. 27 by airport security when they spotted an odd shape in his carry-on luggage and then searched the bag to determine what it was.

Orange County Sheriff's Department spokesman Jim Amormino told City News Service that security found a collapsible police baton in Snoop's computer bag. The baton, which is illegal to possess, can expand from 8 to 21 inches and is "definitely illegal to bring on a plane," he said.

Snoop told authorities he had no idea that the baton was an illegal item and explained it was intended for use as a video prop in New York. The baton was confiscated and the rapper was allowed to board his flight without being cited.

We don't know fo' shizzle, but Snoop is most likely still welcome in Orange County and can fly in and out of John Wayne Airport as he pleases.

The Doggfather is out of luck, however, if he's interested in a trip to London. Snoop and five members of his entourage were banned "for the foreseeable future" from entering the U.K. after being arrested at Heathrow Airport in April for "violent disorder and affray" after instigating a brawl with airport staff and police officers.

It turned out that Snoop and his pals were peeved that those in the group who were flying business class were not allowed to join those who were flying first class in British Airways' first-class lounge. They were instead directed to the business-class lounge (which we hear is a real sty).

After being escorted from the area, they took their frustration out on a duty-free shop, hurling whiskey bottles and looting cigarettes and booze.

Seven police officers suffered minor injuries and the six offenders spent the night in jail. Snoop returned to England the following month and owned up to "using threatening words and behavior" at the time. He was given a warning and an order to never set foot on a British Airways flight ever again.