Snoop Dogg, the US rap artist, has been arrested on suspicion of illegal drug and gun possession at a California airport, police have said.

The internationally-known rapper, whose real name is Calvin Broadus, was arrested yesterday afternoon at Bob Hope Airport in Burbank, California, after police approached him for breaching traffic restrictions by parking in a loading zone.

The officers then searched the vehicle where they allegedly found a gun and marijuana.

Snoop Dogg was arrested and taken to Burbank Police Department Jail. He was later released on bail of $35,000 and is due to appear in court on December 12.

Those close to the rapper insisted he was innocent. "There was no basis for this arrest," Donald Etra, the rapper’s attorney, said in a statement. "We believe that once this is cleared up, all charges will be dismissed."

It is not the first brush with law for the star, who has sold more than 17 million records and has featured in a series of films, including Starsky and Hutch.

Last month, he was found with a 21 inch (53cm) collapsible baton in his bags as he boarded a New York-bound flight from John Wayne International Airport in Orange County, California.

Earlier this year he was given a police caution over a disturbance at Heathrow Airport, in which he was arrested with members of his entourage on suspicion of violent disorder and affray.

In 1990, the star was convicted of cocaine possession, three years before he was charged with gun possession. He pleaded guilty in exchange for three years’ probation and a promise to make public service announcements against violence.