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Customs Agents Interview Justin Bieber At Teterboro After Allegedly Smelling Pot On Private Plane

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Justin Bieber landed more unflattering headlines right in the Tri-State Area Friday, as customs and other officers boarded his chartered plane -- smelling what they thought might be marijuana.

As CBS 2's Dave Carlin reported, the pop star had to park it at Teterboro Airport Friday afternoon and be questioned while investigators searched the jet's cabin for drugs.

An investigation dragged on for most of the afternoon and evening Friday, but ultimately, nothing was found. Bieber was on the plane along with his father and several friends, according to published reports.

Bieber's plane left the airport around 8:55 p.m., reportedly without him.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection declined to comment on the incident.

"While we are not at liberty to discuss an individual's processing due to the Privacy Act, our CBP officers are charged with enforcing not only immigration and customs laws, but they also enforce over 400 laws for 40 other agencies and have stopped thousands of violators of U.S. law," the agency said in a statement.

The agency said anyone trying to enter the United States must "overcome ALL grounds of inadmissibility."

Beiber, 19, is reportedly in town to head to the Super Bowl. He leased the plane and does not own it, sources said.

Sources: Customs Agents Interviewing Justin Bieber At Teterboro After Allegedly Smelling Pot On Private Plane

As WCBS 880's Jim Smith reported, a half dozen or so fans gathered to watch Bieber's latest run-in with the law.

Among the fans was Bella Plascencia of Tenafly, N.J., who came to the airport with her mother.

But no one caught a glimpse of Bieber after investigators cleared him and his entourage of any wrong doing.

Aly Hum of South Hackensack, N.J., came to Bieber's defense.

"I feel like everywhere he goes now, he's just going to keep getting in trouble with the cops," Hum said.

Hum said Bieber deserves to be cut some slack.

"I think that he's just being a kid," Hum said. "I mean, all teenagers, not all but, like ,most of them get in trouble for it, and I think he's just trying to grow up so."

Bella also defended Bieber as she spoke to Carlin.

"He's made a lot of mistakes, and everybody makes mistakes," Bella said.

Her mother was a bit less charitable.

"I don't think this will change her mind regarding how she feels about him, but she also likes One Direction, so hopefully, she will focus more on One Direction at this point because they seem to be good boys," said Karen Plascencia.

Bieber was arrested last Thursday in Miami Beach, Fla., on allegations of driving under the influence and other charges.

He pleaded not guilty to DUI, resisting arrest without violence and driving without a valid license.

Police said Bieber later admitted that he had been drinking, smoking marijuana and taking prescription medication, CBS News reported.

He was released on $2,500 bail.

A preliminary toxicology report released Thursday showed that he tested positive for marijuana and the anti-anxiety drug Xanax. Bieber told police after the arrest that he had been smoking marijuana and had taken a prescription drug.

The troubled star was also charged with assault for allegedly hitting a Toronto limousine driver several times in the back of the head last month.

Police allege Bieber was one of six people who were picked up by a limousine from a nightclub in the early morning hours of Dec. 30, and there was an altercation while en route to a hotel.

Police said during the altercation one of the passengers hit the limo driver in the back of the head several times before fleeing.

Earlier this month, officers also searched Bieber's home after a neighbor accused the pop star and his entourage of throwing eggs at his home – causing extensive damage.

The native of Canada is in the U.S. on a temporary work visa that could be revoked

Immigration Attorney Michael Wildes said Bieber should be told to limit his travel and lay low.

"No doubt, Justin Bieber is facing a challenge -- something that he's created by himself -- whether it's throwing eggs, drag racing, or having marijuana, or even making concessions or admissions to police officers," Wildes said.

Howard Weitzman, Bieber's attorney in California, said his client is innocent and declined to comment further.

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(TM and © Copyright 2014 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2014 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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