Former Formula One chief Bernie Ecclestone has reportedly been arrested in Portugal over allegations that he was illegally carrying a shotgun after arriving at a private airport near Lisbon.
The 95-year-old motorsport businessman is said to have been detained at Tires Aerodrome in Cascais after landing in his private jet.
Portuguese media reports indicate that officers from the country’s PSP police force made the arrest during what was described as a routine operation.
Local reports have identified the firearm as a shotgun, although authorities have not yet publicly provided details about the alleged weapon or the circumstances surrounding its discovery.
Arrest Follows Ecclestone’s Arrival by Private Jet
Ecclestone’s reported detention took place at the airport west of Lisbon, an area where the billionaire and his family have established a connection in recent years.
Several Portuguese media outlets have reported the incident, but there has been no official statement from the PSP confirming the arrest or providing further information about the case.
The reported incident comes more than four years after Ecclestone was detained in Brazil over another firearm-related matter.
Former F1 Boss Faced Gun Charge in Brazil
Ecclestone was arrested in Brazil in May 2022 after a firearm was reportedly discovered in his luggage while he was preparing to board a private aircraft.
He acknowledged that the gun belonged to him but insisted he had not realised it was inside his luggage at the time.
The weapon was identified as a LW Seecamp .32 handgun, which Ecclestone said he had purchased years earlier from a Formula One mechanic or tyre worker in Brazil.
Ecclestone Described Previous Incident as ‘Silly’
Following his Brazilian arrest, Ecclestone was released after paying bail and was permitted to travel to Switzerland.
He later dismissed the episode as a “silly, tiny little incident”, while expressing frustration over the disruption it caused as he and his family attempted to leave São Paulo by private plane.
Ecclestone also disputed the description of himself as having been formally arrested, despite Brazil’s public security authorities confirming that an unnamed businessman had been detained at Campinas airport for possessing a firearm.
Why Ecclestone Said He Owned the Handgun
Ecclestone previously explained that he had acquired the small handgun as a precaution after being advised that carrying such a weapon could provide protection against a possible robbery.
He said the firearm had been kept at his home and that he had sometimes handled it jokingly when visitors came to see him.
His comments came after Brazilian authorities became involved over the discovery of the weapon at the airport.
Ecclestone Family’s Growing Connection to Cascais
The latest reported incident has also emerged against the backdrop of Ecclestone’s family’s increasingly strong ties to the Cascais area.
In April, reports said his wife, Fabiana Flosi, had purchased a luxury mansion in the prestigious Quinta da Marinha resort for around £35 million.
The property, located roughly 15 miles west of Lisbon, was reportedly acquired in January following negotiations that lasted approximately six months.
Portuguese newspaper Correio da Manhã described the transaction as the country’s largest-ever private residential property sale.
No Official Confirmation Yet
Despite multiple Portuguese reports about Ecclestone’s alleged arrest, authorities have yet to publicly comment on the matter.
The circumstances surrounding the reported discovery of the shotgun, the exact nature of any alleged offence and whether Ecclestone has been formally charged remain unclear.
Further details are expected if Portuguese authorities issue an official statement.
