American hip-hop star Snoop Lion (formerly known as Snoop Dogg) has been barred from entering Norway for two years.
Reports suggest that the ban of the 40-year-old rapper came after he was detained at Kjevik Airport last month when customs officials found eight grams of cannabis in his possession while he was travelling to the Hove Norwegian music festival.
The California-based musician, whose legal name is Calvin Broadus, had also been caught with more cash than is legally allowed to be brought into Norway without declaration. He admitted to both offenses and, in addition to the ban, was slapped with a fine of NOK 52,000 (EUR 7,000).
A spokesman for Snoop Lion said in a statement that the rapper was not planning to file an appeal with Norwegian authorities and that he can “live with the decision,” BBC News reports.
The incident was not the first time this year that Snoop was caught with cannabis. In January he was arrested by police in Texas after a search of his tour bus turned up a bag of the drug. He was cautioned and released without incident.
On July 31st, the singer formerly known as Snoop Dogg announced that he changed his stage name to Snoop Lion, after having being rechristened by a Jamaican Rastafarian priest. Meanwhile, his current tour continues; the rapper played at the Catalpa Festival in New York City at the weekend.