Houston Rockets centre Dwight Howard was detained at George Bush Intercontinental Airport on Friday for having a handgun in his carry-on bag.

The Houston Police Department have confirmed that he was stopped when officials discovered the pistol in the bottom of his bag.

Howard told officials that the gun was his, and after being detained, was allowed to give the handgun to an associate, according to ESPN.

The Houston District Attorney's office later revealed that Howard was not hit with any criminal charges, and was allowed to board a later flight.