(Motorsport-Total.com) – Former Formula 1 boss Bernie Ecclestone was arrested at Cascais Airport in Portugal, Portuguese media report. The curious reason: a shotgun was found in his luggage during a routine check.
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Ecclestone had just landed with his private jet – a Dassault Falcon 7X worth around 40 million euros – at Aerodromo de Tires when the security forces on site routinely checked what the 95-year-old was carrying.
During this, a shotgun was discovered for which Ecclestone could not present an official license, which is why he was taken into custody. The arrest was carried out by officers of the airport division of the PSP (Policia de Seguranca Publica).
This is not Ecclestone’s first offense of this kind: only in 2022 was the Briton arrested at the airport in Sao Paulo (Brazil) because he was caught with a weapon in his luggage.
At that time, Ecclestone told Brazilian investigators that he did not know the weapon was in his luggage. However, he did not deny possession of the weapon. Ecclestone, who was about to fly to Switzerland with his private jet, was able to buy his release on bail at that time.
Whether this time he will be brought before a magistrate or only officially listed as a suspect is not yet known.
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Recently, security at the airfield has been increased: the PSP and the criminal police work permanently in the premises provided by the city administration to enforce and ensure strict surveillance.
The airport is located near his estate in Portugal, which is estimated at 40 million euros and covers an area of 2,000 square meters.
The deal was reportedly handled by Ecclestone’s wife Fabiana Flosi, who acquired the property from Marco Galinha, an entrepreneur and former president of the Global Media Group. The transaction is considered the largest private residential sale in the history of Portugal to date.
Ecclestone, who will turn 96 in October, also owns properties in Switzerland and Brazil.
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