Former Formula 1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone faced scrutiny at a Portuguese airport this week after bringing an unauthorized shotgun into the country. The 95-year-old businessman was intercepted by border authorities while traveling to participate in an upcoming sporting event.

According to statements given to the press, the incident unfolded on Monday at Tires Aerodrome located in Cascais. Ecclestone had flown in from Switzerland with the intention of joining a local clay pigeon shooting tournament.

Upon arrival, he was approached by four customs officials and police officers who detained him for questioning lasting approximately an hour. Local authorities flagged the firearm because the former motorsport executive lacked the proper paperwork required to legally import weapons into Portugal.

Ecclestone firmly pushed back against initial rumors suggesting he had been placed under arrest. He described the encounter as a straightforward administrative mix-up and praised the responding personnel for maintaining a polite and cooperative demeanor throughout the process.

The British billionaire explained that he had previously transported the shotgun without incident from England to Switzerland. Because he frequently utilizes the airfield and is well-known to the staff there, he expected a routine arrival without complications.

Because of the missing import permits, Ecclestone ultimately had to relinquish the weapon to the authorities. He noted that he voluntarily approached the officers to clarify the situation once he realized they had taken an interest in his luggage.

This occurrence marks the second time in recent years that the former racing tycoon has run into legal trouble involving firearms at aviation facilities. In 2022, law enforcement officials in Brazil detained him at an airport for attempting to board a private flight to Switzerland with an undeclared gun in his baggage. That episode resulted in a financial penalty directed to local judicial authorities.

Ecclestone spent decades at the helm of Formula 1, steering the commercial and operational aspects of the global motorsport championship until his tenure ended following a corporate acquisition in 2017.

Reporting based on coverage first published by BBC Sport. Read the original report at BBC Sport.