WHAT ARE FIFTY MILLION DOLLARS OF RARE HYPERCARS, SHIPPED FROM MACAU TO THE UNITED STATES IN 2023, DOING STORED IN A WAREHOUSE IN LAX? WAS THIS A MASSIVE MONEY LAUNDERING OPERATION BY THE GOVERNMENT OF CHINA GONE WRONG?

Los Angeles International Airport

Two years ago, one of my transportation sources regaled me with the curious tale of the journey of a Boeing 747 freighter that he noticed, flying from Macau, to Los Angeles, which was loaded with a choice selection of the world's rarest hypercars, luxury European sports cars some worth millions of dollars each, and with an estimated total value of over fifty million dollars. I assume that they were destined for a world-class auto show somewhere in North America.

It now appears that I was mistaken; this week it was revealed that the shipment, containing the ultimate collection of the most select group of motorcars, was discovered in a remote warehouse at LAX, where they have been sitting since 2023. The mystery deepened when one notices that, rather than appearing on mainstream media, the story was published by a website known primarily for its focus on the transportation sector, meaning that the source probably came from someone in that industry. I have no idea why our Federal law enforcement agencies ignored it.

The inventory included a Bugatti Chiron, three Koenigseggs, McLaren Speedtail and Sabre models, Ferrari LaFerrari, Lamborghini Centenario, Aston Martin One-77, and a Gunther Werks-modified Porsche 911. Were these automobiles stolen from the Middle East, Russia or Western Europe, and are they part of a major money laundering operation by the Government of the Peoples' Republic of China? We ask that because no open export of that much wealth from China occurs without official government involvement.

And who were the ultimate customers of these rare supercars? Their VIN numbers would easily confirm their provenance. Were they destined for sale to Latin American narcotics kingpins, who could own them with impunity, due to their power and influence, or for Russian organized crime leaders, who could store them within their ultra-luxury oceanfront residences on Miami's Sunny Isles Beach? Those condominiums feature elevators, and vehicle storage inside each unit, on the same floor as their apartment, allowing one to enjoy one's supercar whilst at home. The possible uses of such contraband vehicles by affluent bad actors boggle the imagination.

Coming back down to earth, we trust that American law enforcement can unravel this intriguing mystery, and if it is indeed a sophisticated money laundering scheme, get to the bottom of it, and identify, arrest and try all those involved, in Federal Court in Los Angeles, to obtain justice.