Former Formula 1 chief executive Bernie Ecclestone was arrested at Brazil’s Viracopos airport late Wednesday evening because he had a firearm in his luggage.
This was reported Thursday by the English site dailymail.com, stating that the 91-year-old man was to take a private flight to Switzerland. The same source said officers discovered an unregistered weapon, a .32 caliber LW Seecamp pistol. The principal concerned admitted that the object belonged to him, affirming however to the authorities that he did not know that it was in his personal effects.
Globo media reported that the weapon – unloaded – was concealed in the pocket of a sweater. Married to a woman born in the South American country who serves as vice-president of the International Automobile Federation, Ecclestone reportedly said he bought his pistol from an F1 mechanic five years earlier.
A fine of 6,060 Brazilian reals, or approximately $1,622, was imposed and paid by the businessman, who was able to fly to Switzerland.
Illegal possession of weapons can carry a maximum prison sentence of four years in Brazil.
