Arnold Schwarzenegger was detained for hours at Munich airport when customs agents flagged an expensive charity auction watch he failed to declare properly.
The Detainment Drama Unfolds at Munich Airport
Arnold Schwarzenegger, the iconic actor and former governor of California, found himself in a rather unexpected situation during his recent trip to a charity auction. The trip, which was supposed to be a smooth journey from Los Angeles to Austria, took an unexpected turn when Schwarzenegger was detained at Munich Airport for several hours.
A Luxury Watch Raises Eyebrows
The cause of the detention? An unregistered luxury watch that Schwarzenegger was carrying, sparking the attention of customs officers. The Washington Post and CNN reported on the incident, highlighting the perplexity surrounding the actor's unexpected delay.
The 'Random' Selection and Customs Comedy
According to Schwarzenegger's representative, Daniel Ketchell, the actor and those around him on the commercial flight didn't fill out any declaration forms. However, upon reaching customs, Arnold was informed that he was 'randomly' selected for a search. Ketchell clarified, "During the search, he answered every single question the customs officer asked, so to say he didn’t declare anything is 100% false."
A Competent Cooperation Amidst Incompetence
Despite the unexpected detour, Schwarzenegger reportedly cooperated at every step of the process. The situation, as described by an undisclosed source, unfolded as an "incompetent shakedown" and a "total comedy of errors," resembling a plotline straight out of a cop movie.
- Bank Visit and ATM Woes: Officers took Schwarzenegger to a bank to pre-pay potential taxes on the watch, only to discover the bank was closed, and the ATM limit was too low.
- Credit Card Machine Saga: Upon return, a new officer with a functioning credit card machine replaced the initial setback.
The Watch’s Fate and Tax Troubles
The watch, owned by Schwarzenegger and potentially slated for auction at a charity event in Austria, led to criminal tax proceedings, according to customs office spokesperson Thomas Meister. The imported item needed to be registered, setting the stage for a series of events that resembled a Hollywood comedy.
Dinner, Auction, and Environmental Causes
In the midst of this watch-related chaos, it's worth noting that Schwarzenegger has a scheduled dinner and auction for environmental protection in Kitzbühel, Austria. The event, organized by the Schwarzenegger Climate Initiative, aims to raise funds supporting the annual Austrian World Summit climate conference.
- Proceeds for a Purpose: The funds generated from the auction are destined to support the Schwarzenegger Climate Initiative, emphasizing the actor's commitment to environmental causes.
Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Take on the Situation
In a statement, Schwarzenegger characterized the detention as an "incompetent shakedown" and expressed his dedication to ensuring proper reporting for the auctioned watch through his non-profit initiatives.
Presidential Ambitions and Climate Advocacy
Amidst the detaining debacle, Schwarzenegger also weighed in on environmental issues, emphasizing the urgency for environmentalists to catch up with the times.
A Charitable Happy Ending
Ultimately, customs officials tracked down a functional credit card processor, collecting the tax prepayment without any out-of-pocket cash from Schwarzenegger. His schedule suffered significant delays, but the star emerged from detainment no worse for wear. As one spokesman relayed, "All is well and we look forward to a very successful charity event."
The former governor intended all along to properly report his luxury watch sale. In fact, the entire purpose involved raising money for environmental conservation efforts. While his airport experience proved inconvenient and illogical, Arnold kept calm and carried on for charity's sake.