According to this
press release from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) it was seized yesterday...image from ICE...
SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, Calif. - U.S. Immigration and Customs
Enforcement (ICE) agents served a seizure warrant Monday morning at a
classic car showroom in San Juan Capistrano, Calif., where they took
possession of a "one-of-a kind" Italian sports car valued at more than
$700,000.
The 1994 Cizeta V16 was loaded onto a flatbed truck and transported
to a secure government storage facility. The car is one of fewer than a
dozen such vehicles produced by automotive engineer Claudio Zampoli in
a joint venture with music composer Giorgio Moroder.
ICE investigators allege Zampoli, who lives in Orange County,
violated U.S. customs and environmental laws when he brought the car
into the United States in February 2001. According to the affidavit
filed in support of the seizure warrant, Zampoli's import agent stated
on customs documents submitted when the car entered the country that it
was worth $125,000, even though the car originally sold new for
approximately $600,000. The import form and related documentation also
stated the vehicle was being brought in for temporary use, specifically
maintenance and repairs, and had to be exported within one year. In
addition to the customs violations, investigators say the car does not
comply with U.S. environmental and transportation safety regulations.
"Make no mistake, the illegal importation of gray market vehicles
like this is not just a technical violation," said Miguel Unzueta,
special agent in charge for the ICE Office of Investigations in Los
Angeles. "Cars that don't meet U.S. standards are outlawed for a
reason. These vehicles can pose a real threat to public health and
safety."
The Cizeta will remain in storage while authorities seek to have it
forfeited to the federal government. If the vehicle is forfeited, it
will be offered for sale at a public auction. Since the vehicle does
not meet U.S. environmental and safety standards, any domestic buyer
would have to export the car following its purchase.
ICE received substantial assistance with the case from the U.S.
Attorney's Office, U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the National
Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
I last saw this beauty at Cars & Coffee on November 14th, here's what it looked like that day...