Former Formula One chief Bernie Ecclestone was stopped by Portuguese authorities after arriving at an airport with an undocumented shotgun on his private jet.
The 95-year-old arrived at Tires Aerodrome near Cascais on Monday after travelling from Switzerland. Authorities discovered the firearm during a routine inspection, with Ecclestone later acknowledging that he did not have the required documentation to bring it into Portugal.
Ecclestone Denies He Was Arrested
Reports initially described the incident as an arrest, but Ecclestone has disputed that account.
He said he was questioned by customs officials and police before surrendering the firearm. According to Ecclestone, the weapon was being transported because he planned to attend a clay-pigeon shooting event in Portugal.
Portuguese police also indicated that the incident involved the country's Tax and Customs Authority, creating some uncertainty over the exact legal status of the encounter.
A Second Firearm Incident
The latest episode is particularly notable because Ecclestone was involved in a similar incident in Brazil in 2022, when an undocumented firearm was found in his luggage before a private flight.
Ecclestone has remained one of the most influential figures in motorsport, having led Formula One for decades before leaving his executive role following Liberty Media's takeover in 2017.
The Portuguese authorities are now dealing with the latest case, while Ecclestone maintains that the situation resulted from a documentation issue.
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