Kyle Busch Detained In Mexico In January, Sentenced To 3.5 Years In Prison For Possession Of A Handgun At The Airport

Kyle Busch NASCAR
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Man, Kyle Busch has had an eventful start to 2023.

Last night, Busch made his debut in his new #8 ride for Richard Childress Racing in the Busch Light Clash, where he…well, clashed with defending NASCAR champion Joey Logano after getting spun out during the race.

Busch, who already had a history with Joey Logano coming into the season, had some choice words for the defending champ after the race:

“I definitely am behind on that young buck. So one of these days I need to start getting back on the horse and grabbing it by the horns, I guess you’d say.

It’s really unfortunate to be raced by guys that are so two-faced. We were in the TV booth earlier in the night together and when we were all done with that he was like “Hey man, good luck tonight.” And I’m like “Ok great, thanks, yeah, whatever.”

And then lo and behold, there you go, he wrecked me. Don’t even talk to me if you’re going to be that kind of an asshole on the racetrack.”

But it sounds like that’s nothing compared to what he went through in January – when Busch apparently found himself on the wrong side of a Mexican jail.

In a statement released this afternoon, Busch revealed that he was detained while traveling back from Mexico after authorities at the airport discovered a handgun in his bag:

“In late January, Samantha and I enjoyed a several day vacation in Mexico. When departing the country, my handgun was flagged during routine screening at the airport.

I have a valid concealed carry permit from my local authority and adhere to all handgun laws, but I made a mistake by forgetting it was in my bag.

Discovery of the handgun led to my detainment while the situation was resolved. I was not aware of Mexican law and had no intention of bringing a handgun into Mexico.

When it was discovered, I fully cooperated with the authorities, accepted the penalties, and returned to North Carolina.

I apologize for my mistake and appreciate the respect shown by all parties as we resolved the matter. My family and I consider this issue closed.”

While Busch did say that he “accepted the penalties,” there was no mention of what those penalties were. And although he may “consider this issue closed,” it’s not clear that Mexican authorities feel the same way.

The Prosecutor General’s Office of Mexico released a statement this past weekend (translated below) announcing the arrest and sentence of a Nevada man named “Kyle Thomas B” for carrying his “pistol-type weapon” along with hollow point bullets in the airport without a license.

The statement also announced that Busch had been sentenced to 3 years and 6 months in prison and fined the equivalent of US $1,100.

“According to the investigation folder, the arrest took place on January 27 of this year, when the man sentenced today was detained by elements of the Quintana Roo National Guard, derived from the direct signaling of private security personnel from the Airport. Cancun International, who are assigned to guard the platform of the FBO terminal for private flights.

The detainee, who is originally from the State of Nevada, intended to travel to the United States of America, but when passing his luggage through the RX of the platform, a caliber pistol-type firearm was detected inside. 380 with magazine stocked with six useful hollow point cartridges.

Due to the foregoing, the Agent of the Federal Public Ministry presented it before the Control Judge, on January 29 of this year, who described the detention as legal, linked to the process and through an abbreviated procedure issued a sentence.”

There’s no indication of how Busch would serve his sentence, or whether the prison time would be suspended, but he was obviously on the track in Los Angeles this weekend and not in a Mexican prison.

Maybe he’s just going to have to avoid Mexico for the next few years?

Seems like Kyle Busch just can’t seem to stay out of hot water, both on and off the track.

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