St. Jude Medical, Inc., Chairman and CEO Daniel Starks was detained in India on Wednesday after a single ammunition shell was found in his baggage at the New Delhi airport.

The Little Canada-based medical giant on Thursday confirmed that the incident occurred, adding that the shell “was inadvertently left in an item of his clothing” as Starks was traveling.

According to newspaper The Indian Express, 56-year-old Starks was arrested during a baggage check at the Indira Gandhi International Airport for allegedly carrying a “live cartridge.” Company spokeswoman Marisa Bluestone would not confirm that fact but did confirm that Starks produced an invalid U.S. arms license.

The Indian Express reported that Starks made a court appearance and spent one day in custody.

Bluestone said that Starks was traveling for business and that the ammunition shell was for a personal firearm that he wasn't carrying.

“Mr. Starks is no longer being detained at the airport and has resumed his day-to-day business activities,” St. Jude said in an e-mailed statement. “Mr. Starks is respectful of the local process and has decided to remain in India until this misunderstanding is completely cleared up.”

The Indian Express reported that Starks was on his way to Dharamsala, the home of the Dalai Lama.

Bluestone said that no formal charges have been filed against Starks.

Starks joined St. Jude in 1996 and became CEO in 2004. St. Jude is among Minnesota's 20-largest public companies based on its revenue, which totaled $5.17 billion in 2010.