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The outstanding 2002 Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR Roadster worth 13 million dollars by the federal authorities in one of the most unbelievable developments that have not only sparked the curiosity among the car enthusiasts and law enforcement bodies, but also resulted in the seizure of one of the most desirable supercars in the world. It is not just a costly vehicle that has been seized in such an extraordinary confiscation, but this represent a huge breakthrough in a major international case involving drugs, money laundering and organized crime. The 2002 Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR currently held by the FBI has become one of the illustrations of how such valuable objects may be deployed to conceal illegal money, and the point of convergence between expensive car collectibles and crime.
The FBI’s statement suggests that the CLK GTR Roadster is owned by Wedding and his associates. The statement says, “As part of the Giant Slalom investigative developments announced last week involving FBI Top Ten Fugitive, Ryan Wedding, and his associates, a rare 2002 Mercedes CLK GTR valued at $13 million was seized by the FBI.”
Why is the Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR Roadster So Special?
Before knowing the details about this seizure, it is necessary to have the idea of what is so extraordinary about the Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR Roadster. The CLK GTR was a car that was born out of the successful Mercedes-Benz GT1 racing program in the late 90s and was to be created as part of the homologation process to compete in the FIA GT Championship. Some of the main aspects that have made the CLK GTR Roadster special are:
- Extreme Rarity: It was even more exclusive than the already limited 25 coupe versions since a limited number of roadster versions were produced.
- Performance: It uses a 6.9-liter V12 engine based on the racing program of Mercedes, with the engine making 612 horsepower and reaching 320 km/h (199 mph) as the top speed.
- Engineering: The Roadster is a road-legal GT1 racing car. It is a carbon-fiber chassis, a 6-speed sequential manual transmission and highly aggressive aerodynamic features, including unique rear flying buttresses that distinguish it among the coupe.
- Historical Significance: The CLK GTR was created in the stiff competitive rivalry of the late 1990s between Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, and McLaren, and it can be called a no-compromise method of performance and engineering.
- Design and Practicality: The Roadster is designed without the roof scoop as compared to the coupe, it has a distinctive rear wing design and applies asymmetrical side mirrors. Along with low ground clearance and few creature comforts, and it prioritizes raw performance than day-to-day practicality.
Understanding the Rarity: Production Numbers
| Model Variant | Units Produced | Estimated Value Range |
| CLK GTR Coupe | 20 units | $3-5 million |
| CLK GTR Roadster | 6 units | $10-15 million |
| Total Production | 26 units | Varies by condition |
The Dark Side: From Olympic Athlete to Alleged Drug Kingpin
The seizure of the Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR Roadster is intrinsically linked to Ryan Wedding, a former Canadian Olympic snowboarder who competed in the 2002 Winter Games. According to federal authorities, Wedding allegedly transformed from athletic competitor to the suspected leader of a transnational drug trafficking organization.
The Criminal Allegations Against Ryan Wedding
Federal investigators have accused Wedding of:
- Orchestrating a drug trafficking enterprise generating approximately $1 billion annually
- Directing large-scale cocaine distribution across North America
- Coordinating money laundering operations to conceal illicit proceeds
- Involvement in multiple murders connected to the criminal organization
Wedding currently appears on the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted list, with authorities offering a substantial reward for information leading to his capture.
How the 2002 Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR Was Used for Money Laundering
U.S. authorities allege that a 2002 Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR Roadster was used to help launder drug trafficking proceeds tied to a global cocaine smuggling operation known as “Operation Giant Slalom,” allegedly led by former Canadian Olympic snowboarder and FBI fugitive Ryan Wedding. Prosecutors claim Toronto jeweler Rolan Sokolovski used his company, Diamond Tsar, to funnel illicit funds, including signing a $11.9 million purchase agreement for the ultra-rare car in 2024 with a reported $2 million deposit. One of only six roadsters produced, the vehicle previously owned by the Abu Dhabi royal family—was seized by the FBI in Miami in late 2025 and is being held as evidence pending court proceedings.
Why Luxury Cars Are Perfect for Hiding Illegal Money
Luxury vehicles, particularly ultra-rare collectibles like the Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR Roadster, offer several advantages for those seeking to launder criminal proceeds:
- Value Concentration: Massive wealth stored in a single, portable asset
- Market Opacity: Private sales with limited regulatory oversight
- International Mobility: Ease of transport across borders
- Appreciation Potential: Legitimate investment appreciation masks illicit origins
- Privacy: Transactions often conducted discreetly through intermediaries
Why This Seizure Matters: Breaking Records in Law Enforcement
The confiscation of the 2002 Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR represents one of the most valuable vehicle seizures in the history of the U.S. federal law enforcement. In addition to its monetary values, this move demonstrates:
- The Scale of “Narco-Wealth”: The car was among a larger haul attributed to a former Canadian Olympian turned fugitive Ryan Wedding, accused of running a $1 billion a year drug empire comparable to Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman and Pablo Escobar. The car demonstrates the symbol of a crown jewel of a “drug lord starter pack”.
- Complex Asset Laundering: The dealership in Miami acquired the car which almost was sold to the celebrity (Drake) but then, the car was purchased by one of the chief money launderers in Toronto known as a jeweler who used the car to conceal the illicit gains.
- The Transnational Character of Organized Crime: The seizure was the result of an “Operation Giant Slalom” that targeted a group which operated in Canada, the U.S., Mexico, and Colombia.
- A Catch Me if You Can Warning: The seizure is a literal, symbolic caution to the significant drug traffickers that there is no asset, regardless of how exclusive, beyond the reach of federal law enforcement.
For other major automotive industry news and developments, explore our coverage of recent recalls and auto industry news.
Conclusion
The confiscation of this unique 2002 Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR is an effective reminder that no luxurious acquisition of any kind despite its rarity and worth can ultimately protect the criminal money in the hands of motivated police. To the car lovers, it is a sweet and sour story of how one of the greatest machines in the world- the automotive fell into the trap of supposed criminal gang. This Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR Roadster is both an ode to the high-quality of German engineering and a warning about the extent of the ramifications of illegal acts as the investigation goes on.
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Frequently Asked Question
What was the number of the Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR Roadsters produced?
The car is one of the rarest modern supercars ever made in existence with only six Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR Roadsters ever made.
So what makes the 2002 CLK GTR by Mercedes-Benz so valuable?
It has a race car pedigree, a hugely powerful V12 and its historical importance as a street-legal racing car all add to its valuation of $13 million.
What will become of the confiscated Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR?
Assets that are seized are normally detained as an evidence in prosecution. In case of forfeiture, they can be auctioned with the money being given to victims or law enforcement departments.
Is it possible to buy these types of vehicles that are confiscated by the community?
After legal procedures and forfeiture, this type of vehicles can ultimately be auctioned by the government, or by special government asset disposition programs.
What is the way authorities monitor laundered luxury cars?
By analyzing financial transactions, global collaboration, reviewing documents, and more and more advanced digital forensics.
