Events that allegedly occurred over Los Angeles as the president flew from Orange County to LAX cannot be described as a routine traffic stop. However, constitutional principles apply during any encounter between people and the government. Sources say that F-16 fighters were called in to intercept a small aircraft that allegedly flew into a no-fly zone created for the president. Federal agents and Long Beach police officers descended upon the Cessna after it landed and ultimately detained the pilot on suspicion of serious federal drug crimes.

Generally, a no-fly zone is installed within 10-miles of any aircraft carrying the president. President Obama made a West Coast visit recently, and while he was aboard Marine One, federal authorities say the Cessna strayed into the restricted air space. Authorities say that the Cessna never came close enough to endanger the president during the alleged incident. F-16s were dispatched from Riverside and forced the Cessna to land at the Long Beach airport Feb. 16.

Federal agents and local police apparently detained the pilot for questioning. They also must have boarded the small plane, as officials claim they found a large amount of marijuana on the aircraft.

The no-fly zone restrictions imposed in the 10-mile vicinity of a presidential aircraft are temporary. A pilot who is alleged to have violated the temporary restricted airspace normally can face revocation of their flying privilege, according to the Federal Aviation Administration.

Law enforcement, however, took the pilot into custody Thursday afternoon after the incident. Little information has been made public about the pilot, or the marijuana allegedly found aboard the aircraft. Officials say that a drug investigation continues.

Source: Los Angeles Times, "Pilot detained after straying into Obama's airspace," Dan Weikel and Ari Bloomekatz, Feb. 17, 2012