Pot-laden plane blows into Obama's air space

Updated 9:21 PM ET

WASHINGTON - Two Air Force F-16 fighters intercepted a privately owned Cessna airplane that entered the same Los Angeles airspace as Marine One on Thursday as the helicopter was ferrying President Barack Obama.

Police discovered about 40 pounds of marijuana inside the plane after it landed at Long Beach Airport, a law enforcement official said. The official was not authorized to comment publicly on the drug investigation and spoke under condition of anonymity.

The Secret Service said the president was never in any danger.

In a statement, the North American Aerospace Defense Command said it scrambled two F-16 fighters from March Air Reserve Base in Riverside County, Calif., to intercept a Cessna 182 over Los Angeles about 2:30 p.m. EST.

The Secret Service said the plane had entered into the same airspace as Marine One. Officials interviewed the pilot and turned the matter over to local law enforcement.

President Barack Obama waits to pay for Chinese food from Great Eastern Restaurant in San Francisco, Feb. 16, 2012.

(Credit: AP)

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement spokeswoman Virginia Kice said the department's Homeland Security Investigations unit questioned the pilot, who has been turned over to Long Beach police and remains in custody. He will face local prosecution, Kice said.

NORAD spokesman Michael Kucharek declined to disclose how close the Cessna came to Marine One.

The Federal Aviation Administration had notified pilots that there was an eight-mile radius around Los Angeles that was off-limits to air traffic Thursday, spokeswoman Brie Sachse said. It was that radius that the Cessna violated.

Sachse declined to release the Cessna's tail number, saying the agency doesn't identify planes involved in security incidents.

[1pheasant1]

The plane carrying the coke was in the hangar having its nose reconstructed.

[NoWayJose9999]

Cut 'em some slack. The pilot had a serious case of the munchies...

[gerryrigger]

I feel so sorry for the deprivation this caused to the Foo Fighters.

[canislupus16]

oops

[thechooch1]

ThyAlmightyKing February 17, 2012 8:25 AM EST
If Bill feels like I do,
Obama is not his president.

Then I guess you aren't and American Citizen!

[nadelio]

It this incident somehow related to the recent shooting in South Beach? I guess something went terribly wrong.

[Dgunner]

Marijuana is illegal? I have to get off the reservation a little more often.

[nadelio]

The news of the bizarre. Sounds like 'The Onion' reporting.

[nadelio]

It's a question of preference. The Onion's coverage of D'ya was exccelent, compassionate, and truthful, IMO. Again, I am glad we all can choose what to read.

[Marlene57015]

They were just meeting up with Obama for his daily shipment! Gee!

[smittyc]

It sure contradicts how safe his presidency has made the borders. The pot usage has now started reaching the preteens, congratulations to the Democratic capitalist. Great Job!!! Keep up the good work. Currently 1 in 4 Americans no longer graduate H.S. and in California that number is much higher.

[NoWayJose9999]

It's amazing that some clueless dipsch!tt like you even knows how to breathe....

[varigdc10]

Guy is flying around smoking a little weed not bothering anyone and here comes the pres to mess up his day, this is too much government harrasment !