Bernie Ecclestone Detained in Portugal Over Undocumented Shotgun on Private Jet

POLICY WIRE — Cascais, Portugal — Former Formula 1 chief executive Bernie Ecclestone was detained at Tires Aerodrome near Cascais on Monday, September 7, after Portuguese authorities discovered a shotgun aboard his private jet without the necessary import documentation.

The 95-year-old British businessman confirmed he had brought the firearm from Switzerland intending to use it in a clay pigeon shooting competition during his stay in Portugal.

Ecclestone told the Press Association he voluntarily cooperated with officials, surrendering the weapon after being questioned by four police officers and customs agents for approximately one hour.

He emphasized that the interaction was civil, describing the officers as ‘very helpful’ and disputing claims that he was formally arrested.

According to Ecclestone, he had previously transported the same shotgun from England to Switzerland without issue and expected no complications, noting that airport personnel were familiar with him.

Despite this familiarity, officials required him to relinquish the firearm due to missing official paperwork required for cross-border transport of weapons into Portugal.

This marks the second time Ecclestone has faced legal scrutiny over firearms while traveling internationally. In 2022, he was arrested in Brazil for carrying a gun without authorization while boarding a private flight to Switzerland and was fined 6,000 Brazilian reals (£1,000).

Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)