Cars Seized in OK Pot Bust Going to Auction

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Mar 17, 2019 | 03:41 PM
  #1  
NBP04TL4ME's Avatar
Thread Starter
Stay Out Of the Left Lane
20 Year Member
Community Builder
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 9,705
Likes: 1,399
From: SE Mass --- > Central VA --- > SE Mass
Cars Seized in OK Pot Bust Going to Auction

Some very interesting cars in this collection -

A Collection of Totally Rad Cars Seized in an Oklahoma Pot Bust are Going to Auction


Kong Meng Vang, who also went by Steve, was a simple Oklahoma automotive enthusiast and owner of Vang’s Dyno Performance in Tulsa. He clearly had quite an affinity for JDM cars, having a number of rare 1990s performance oriented imports. Following his arrest in 2018 for possession with intent to distribute 1500 pounds of hydroponically grown California ganja, however, that collection was seized by U.S. Marshals, and is now scheduled to be auctioned to the public starting tomorrow.


In addition to forfeiting his collection of cars, his business, and seven additional residential properties, Vang faces a potential sentence of 40 years in federal prison. Some weed is legal to sell in Oklahoma, but obviously trafficking across state lines and unlicensed is still a huge federal offense.

You can see all 29 automotive auction listings with photographs here. Obviously you’re going to have some of the standard drug runner fare, like an Escalade EXT, an inconspicuous 5-year-old Nissan Sentra, and a Kenworth dump truck. When drug kingpins get their big payday, they start buying up their dream cars, right? That must explain the Nissan Cefiro, Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution III, and a few Toyota Soarers.
Reply
Old Mar 17, 2019 | 03:43 PM
  #2  
mrmako's Avatar
Someday, an RS6 Avant+
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 4,819
Likes: 1,301
From: Japan
Talking

Without going to the website, the listing looks like all JDM cars. Very nice.

**edit** an R34? Very sweet

Last edited by mrmako; Mar 17, 2019 at 03:45 PM.
Reply
Old Mar 17, 2019 | 03:47 PM
  #3  
NBP04TL4ME's Avatar
Thread Starter
Stay Out Of the Left Lane
20 Year Member
Community Builder
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 9,705
Likes: 1,399
From: SE Mass --- > Central VA --- > SE Mass
Yes - primarily JDM with an Escalade, Silverado, Kenworth dump truck, F150, F250 and a Harley mixed in for fun.
Reply
Old Mar 17, 2019 | 03:54 PM
  #4  
horseshoez's Avatar
Latent car nut
5 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 7,917
Likes: 2,069
From: Maryland
Originally Posted by mrmako
Without going to the website, the listing looks like all JDM cars. Very nice.

**edit** an R34? Very sweet
I only looked at two, the SC300 and the NSX, and they were both Left-Hand drive.
Reply
Old Mar 17, 2019 | 08:01 PM
  #5  
imj0257's Avatar
Q('.')=O
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 23,574
Likes: 730
From: DFW, TX
Love that R34
Reply
Old Mar 17, 2019 | 10:28 PM
  #6  
charliemike's Avatar
Fahrvergnügen'd
 
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 13,494
Likes: 1,569
From: Maryland
I want that Celica GT-Four.
Reply
Old Mar 18, 2019 | 10:27 AM
  #7  
CLpower's Avatar
teh Senior Instigator
 
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 44,094
Likes: 980
From: Huntington Beach, CA -> Ashburn, VA -> Raleigh, NC -> Walnut Creek, CA
this guy liked drag racing
Reply
Old Mar 18, 2019 | 10:37 AM
  #8  
juniorbean's Avatar
Senior Moderator
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 28,461
Likes: 1,760
From: The QC
I'd never bid on that R34 knowing the government could seize at any time it if they wanted to...
Reply
Old Mar 18, 2019 | 11:15 AM
  #9  
thoiboi's Avatar
Senior Moderator
15 Year Member
Community Builder
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 48,323
Likes: 9,179
From: SoCal, CA
shieet.. that Nissan Sentra is going to nab me some sweet 9.5's and pair perfectly with my Costco Haggar slacks
Reply
Old Mar 18, 2019 | 12:10 PM
  #10  
Rick_TL-S's Avatar
Suzuka Master
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 7,283
Likes: 1,272
Those are some killer deals. Shame being from a drug bust is what will really kill the value for future owners.
Reply
Old Mar 18, 2019 | 12:15 PM
  #11  
Costco's Avatar
Moderator
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 29,869
Likes: 3,489
This guy played a lot of Gran Turismo
Reply
Old Mar 18, 2019 | 12:28 PM
  #12  
CLpower's Avatar
teh Senior Instigator
 
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 44,094
Likes: 980
From: Huntington Beach, CA -> Ashburn, VA -> Raleigh, NC -> Walnut Creek, CA
Originally Posted by Rick_TL-S
Those are some killer deals. Shame being from a drug bust is what will really kill the value for future owners.

it won't, wait till the auctions over, these things will sell at a good price when all said and done if they get enough publicity
Reply
Old Mar 19, 2019 | 07:07 AM
  #13  
CCColtsicehockey's Avatar
Moderator
Regional Coordinator (Southeast)
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 44,138
Likes: 4,448
From: Mooresville, NC
Originally Posted by juniorbean
I'd never bid on that R34 knowing the government could seize at any time it if they wanted to...
If you drove it on public roads yes. They wouldn't seize it as a collector car/race car though which is what they are all being sold as with the title being for offroad use only. Anyone that wants any of those as a track car could probably have them for a good deal.
Reply
Old Mar 19, 2019 | 09:22 AM
  #14  
wackjum's Avatar
Safety Car
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 4,389
Likes: 490
From: Houston, Texas
Under current law, none of these cars that are currently illegal will ever become legal, even after 25 years.
Reply
Old Mar 19, 2019 | 10:16 AM
  #15  
juniorbean's Avatar
Senior Moderator
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 28,461
Likes: 1,760
From: The QC
Originally Posted by CCColtsicehockey
If you drove it on public roads yes. They wouldn't seize it as a collector car/race car though which is what they are all being sold as with the title being for offroad use only. Anyone that wants any of those as a track car could probably have them for a good deal.
True... so hopefully the new owner doesn't try to register it

Reply
Old Mar 19, 2019 | 10:25 AM
  #16  
CCColtsicehockey's Avatar
Moderator
Regional Coordinator (Southeast)
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 44,138
Likes: 4,448
From: Mooresville, NC
I am sure some idiot will forget to read the fine print before buying
Reply
Old Mar 19, 2019 | 10:31 AM
  #17  
TylerT's Avatar
Turd Polisher
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 6,985
Likes: 3,321
From: San Diego
Originally Posted by wackjum
Under current law, none of these cars that are currently illegal will ever become legal, even after 25 years.
Can you explain? Is it a safety or emissions issue?
Reply
Old Mar 19, 2019 | 10:49 AM
  #18  
juniorbean's Avatar
Senior Moderator
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 28,461
Likes: 1,760
From: The QC
Originally Posted by TylerT
Can you explain? Is it a safety or emissions issue?
I think it is b/c they were imported ahead of the 25-year law with an off-road title. So the fact that they came over early means they'll never be legal. If that were the case people could just buy all sort of cars and sit on them waiting for the 25-year clock to run out. So if you bring it over early using a loophole like an off-road title... great... but the vehicle will still only be legally allowed for off-road use even after the clock turns in their favor.

I'm sure wackjum can confirm and/or explain further...
Reply
Old Mar 19, 2019 | 12:51 PM
  #19  
wackjum's Avatar
Safety Car
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 4,389
Likes: 490
From: Houston, Texas
Originally Posted by TylerT
Can you explain? Is it a safety or emissions issue?
It's a law pushed by vehicle manufacturers under the guise of safety and emissions. But in reality, it is to allow mainly luxury manufacturers to sell cars around the world at "market price." That means higher prices in areas that can afford it and lower prices in less well-to-do areas.

If you are truly interested in this topic, read about Mercedes Benz and how they pushed the "Imported Vehicle Safety Compliance Act" of 1988.

The IVSCA modified the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) but the FMVSS has a 21 and 25 year exception. If a vehicle is over 21 years old from the date of manufacture, it is exempt from emissions requirements, and if it is over 25 years, it is exempt from safety regulations, thereby making them exempt from the IVSCA.

Thanks in part to Bill Gates, an exception to the law was created called "Show and Display" where you can import a vehicle less than 25 years old that doesn't comply with FMVSS certification.

Originally Posted by juniorbean
I think it is b/c they were imported ahead of the 25-year law with an off-road title. So the fact that they came over early means they'll never be legal. If that were the case people could just buy all sort of cars and sit on them waiting for the 25-year clock to run out. So if you bring it over early using a loophole like an off-road title... great... but the vehicle will still only be legally allowed for off-road use even after the clock turns in their favor.

I'm sure wackjum can confirm and/or explain further...
Jrbean basically has it. The government doesn't want to create loopholes that would allow somebody to by-pass the ban.

In a sense, it is similar with human immigration. Broadly speaking, to come to the US, you have non-immigrant visas and immigrant visas. Non-immigrant are things like student and vacation visas. With some exceptions, you generally cannot change from a non-immigrant to an immigrant visa once you are in the US. Otherwise that would be a loophole for people to bypass the vetting process and the immigration lottery. If you want to apply for an immigrant visa, you have to remove yourself and re-apply in your country of origin.

Since the government has a record of these vehicles, they will never be allowed to convert to a road worthy title if they stay in the US. I'm not sure if they can be imported legally if you export it and then re-import it after 25 years.
Reply
Old Mar 19, 2019 | 01:02 PM
  #20  
00TL-P3.2's Avatar
Moderator
15 Year Member
Community Influencer
Active Streak: 120 Days
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 29,909
Likes: 6,563
From: Spring, TX


Import as off-road only.
At 25 yrs, drive to CA, sell to @Yumcha for $34.50
Re-import as road legal
Profit


Reply
Old Mar 19, 2019 | 01:10 PM
  #21  
wackjum's Avatar
Safety Car
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 4,389
Likes: 490
From: Houston, Texas
Originally Posted by 00TL-P3.2


Import as off-road only.
At 25 yrs, drive to CA, sell to @Yumcha for $34.50
Re-import as road legal
Profit


Import to Canada. They only have a 15 year ban. Then bring it to the US at the appropriate time.
Reply
Old Mar 19, 2019 | 01:40 PM
  #22  
Yumcha's Avatar
Senior Moderator
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Community Builder
Liked
 
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 169,163
Likes: 23,910
For the record, I'm no related to and/or know anyone related to the perps.


Just because I'm ...
Reply
Old Mar 19, 2019 | 02:58 PM
  #23  
00TL-P3.2's Avatar
Moderator
15 Year Member
Community Influencer
Active Streak: 120 Days
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 29,909
Likes: 6,563
From: Spring, TX
Originally Posted by wackjum
Import to Canada. They only have a 15 year ban. Then bring it to the US at the appropriate time.
Revised plan.

Park ​​​​​@Yumcha 's Jetta outside.
Import desirable car, park in his garage.
Pay $34.50/yr to store until 25yr mark
Import to US

Foolproof.
Reply
Old Mar 19, 2019 | 03:23 PM
  #24  
Yumcha's Avatar
Senior Moderator
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Community Builder
Liked
 
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 169,163
Likes: 23,910
Reply
Old Mar 19, 2019 | 03:29 PM
  #25  
wackjum's Avatar
Safety Car
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 4,389
Likes: 490
From: Houston, Texas
Originally Posted by 00TL-P3.2
Revised plan.

Park ​​​​​@Yumcha 's Jetta outside.
Import desirable car, park in his garage.
Pay $34.50/yr to store until 25yr mark
Import to US

Foolproof.
Originally Posted by Yumcha
Done. Cheapest port for me is New Westminster, but I could use Halifax if it is easier for you. It will arrive first week of May. Please pay any dues for me. I'll pay you back when I make my first annual storage payment. Kthxbye.
Reply
Old Mar 19, 2019 | 03:39 PM
  #26  
Yumcha's Avatar
Senior Moderator
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Community Builder
Liked
 
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 169,163
Likes: 23,910
So, what's my cut again? So we are clear?
Reply
Old Mar 19, 2019 | 03:52 PM
  #27  
wackjum's Avatar
Safety Car
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 4,389
Likes: 490
From: Houston, Texas
Originally Posted by Yumcha
So, what's my cut again? So we are clear?
$34.50 a year x 5 years = $172 USD. Or $36,281 CAD
Reply
Old Mar 19, 2019 | 04:14 PM
  #28  
00TL-P3.2's Avatar
Moderator
15 Year Member
Community Influencer
Active Streak: 120 Days
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 29,909
Likes: 6,563
From: Spring, TX
Math checks out. Yumcha wins.
Reply
Old Mar 19, 2019 | 04:37 PM
  #29  
Yumcha's Avatar
Senior Moderator
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Community Builder
Liked
 
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 169,163
Likes: 23,910































Waitaminit....
Reply
Old Mar 19, 2019 | 05:15 PM
  #30  
NBP04TL4ME's Avatar
Thread Starter
Stay Out Of the Left Lane
20 Year Member
Community Builder
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 9,705
Likes: 1,399
From: SE Mass --- > Central VA --- > SE Mass
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
DRS25
Car Parts for Sale
17
Dec 23, 2012 12:47 PM
SuperTrooper169
Car Talk
13
Jan 14, 2010 12:49 AM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 12:41 AM.