Former Formula One boss Bernie Ecclestone, 95, was reportedly arrested at Tires Aerodrome near Lisbon, Portugal, for illegally carrying a shotgun. The arrest occurred after Ecclestone landed at the aerodrome in his private jet.
Airport police reportedly made the arrest during a routine operation. The weapon in question was described as a shotgun. Flight data indicated a private jet traveled to Cascais from Saanen, Switzerland, where Ecclestone owns property.
This is not the first time Ecclestone has faced legal issues related to firearms. In May 2022, he was arrested in Brazil for illegally carrying a gun while attempting to board a private plane. At that time, he acknowledged owning the weapon but stated he was unaware it was in his luggage. He was released on bail and allowed to travel.
Ecclestone described the Brazil incident as a "silly, tiny little incident" that caused significant aggravation for his family. He had purchased a handgun in Brazil years prior for self-deterrence, without ammunition, and kept it at his home.
In April, reports indicated that Ecclestone's wife, Fabiana Flosi, purchased a mansion in the Cascais area for £35 million, reportedly the largest private home sale in Portugal. No official comment has yet been released by Portuguese authorities regarding the recent arrest.