A Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR roadster, one of just six ever made, has been seized by the FBI. The car is believed to have been tied to former Olympic snowboarded and FBI Top Ten Fugitive Ryan Wedding, The Drive reports.
The FBI has taken ownership of the 2002 CLK GTR Roadster as part of Operation Giant Slalom, an investigation into the former Olympic athlete turned fugitive, Wedding. The Canadian former snowboarded is wanted in connection with drug trafficking and money laundering, with officials in Washington DC comparing him to El Chapo and Pablo Escobar. “He controls one of the most prolific and violent drug-trafficking organizations in this world,” according to American Attorney General Pam Bondi.
Wedding’s multinational operation is believed to have been responsible for $1 billion in illegal drug trading annually, making the $13 million car, a “drop in the bucket,” according to The Drive. What the FBI will do with the vehicle is not known.
The CLK GTR Roadster was built as a homologation special, allowing Mercedes and AMG to race at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. While the race car tore through the famous La Sarthe circuit, many of the road-going versions were “squirreled away by collectors,” says The Drive. Mercedes made just 28 cars in total, 20 coupes and six roadsters, as well as two prototypes. The car seized is the Roadster variant, believed to be the most valuable of every CLK GTR out there.
Powering the unique car is a 6.0-litre V12 with nearly 600 horsepower, and a six-speed sequential gearbox.
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