Arnold Schwarzenegger Detained at Munich Airport Over 'Incompetent Shakedown'

Arnold Schwarzenegger found himself in an unexpectedly extended layover at Munich airport, all thanks to a rather precious possession in his possession.

The 76-year-old actor and former California governor faced a three-hour detainment by customs agents upon his arrival in the German city. The initial scoop came from TMZ, who were the first to bring the incident to light.

So, what caused this prolonged pause in Arnie's travel plans? It was all about a high-value timepiece that the star was carrying with him. The intention was noble - to include the watch in a charity auction set for an upcoming event. However, customs regulations, as they often do, decided to throw a spanner in the works.

When trotting the globe with valuables exceeding a certain threshold, one typically has to fill out the customary forms to declare them. Strangely, in Schwarzenegger's case, no such paperwork was provided. Nonetheless, being the cooperative individual he is, the Terminator complied with the agents' requests.

According to the source, "He cooperated at every step, even though it was an incompetent shakedown, a total comedy of errors that would make a very funny cop movie."

To expedite matters, Arnold agreed to pre-pay potential taxes on the watch. Yet, navigating this bureaucratic labyrinth proved to be no walk in the park. The officers, in a moment of inefficiency, struggled for an hour with a credit card machine before finally admitting defeat. They then escorted the action star to a bank, urging him to withdraw cash from an ATM to settle the dues.

Unluckily for the group, the chosen ATM had a disappointingly low limit, and the bank was closed. A subsequent return saw a new officer armed with a functional credit card machine, allowing Schwarzenegger to settle the matter and finally leave the airport with the watch, unencumbered.

Confirming the incident, a customs spokesperson told CBS News about the unexpected delay. However, airport law enforcement remained tight-lipped.

A representative for Schwarzenegger assured everyone that "all is well," expressing anticipation for a successful charity event. The actor is set to grace the Dinner & Auction for Environmental Protection at the Stanglwirt. The proceeds from this event will bolster the Schwarzenegger Climate Initiative, supporting climate projects globally.

The source added a humorous note, stating, "We hope next time they don’t make him pay taxes on his suits or anything else he packs."