Former Formula One boss Bernie Ecclestone has been arrested in Brazil for illegally carrying a gun while boarding a private plane, local police have said.
Reuters reports that Ecclestone, 91, was attempting to travel to Switzerland on Wednesday (25 May) when an undocumented LW Seecamp .32 gun was found in his luggage during an X-ray screening, with police saying in a statement that he was then arrested and taken to a facility at Viracopos airport in Campinas.
Police said Ecclestone acknowledged owning the gun, but said he was unaware it was in his luggage at the time.
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After paying bail, the Brit was freed and allowed to travel to Switzerland.
Ecclestone, the former chief executive of the Formula One Group, is married to Brazilian-born Fabiana Ecclestone - who gave birth to his fourth child in 2020.
Ecclestone confirmed the happy news to German outlet Blick, saying: "We have a son named Ace. I am so proud."
According to Reuters, the couple attended several events in Brazil this month, including a local Stock Car race in the countryside near Sao Paulo, as well as a meeting with triple world champion Nelson Piquet in Brasilia.
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Topics: World News
Jess Hardiman