Operation Snake Oil Seized Vehicles Sold For Over $1.9 Million At Local Miami Auction
MIAMI - Mark R. Trouville, Special Agent in Charge, Drug Enforcement (DEA), Miami Field Division, announced that on October 18, 2012, 44 personal properties previously seized from Vincent Colangelo, a rogue pain clinic owner, were auctioned off in Miami, Florida. The auction brought in a total of $ 1,927,020, which will be deposited into the Department of Justice Asset Forfeiture Fund and distributed to participating law enforcement agencies in the equitable sharing program.
Among the personal properties were exotic vehicles and vessels such as a Chevy Corvette Sting Ray, Dodge Viper GTS, Lamborghinis, Porsche, Mercedes, custom made hot rods, motorcycles, and jet skis. The highest item sold was a 2008 convertible Rolls Royce Phantom for $246,510, which was appraised at $292,000.
“Drug dealers who live the high life from illegal drug proceeds should be warned that this auction is a reality check to where the road leads. Fancy cars and fancy houses are not rewards for destroying people’s lives,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Mark R. Trouville. “The DEA will remain focused on those who profit from the diversion of prescription drugs and to ensure that pain medicines get into the hands of legitimate patients.”
On June 29, 2012, Colangelo, a defendant in DEA Operation Snake Oil, who was identified as the owner of six rogue pain clinics in South Florida was sentenced to 20 years in prison for conspiracy to distribute and dispense large amounts of oxycodone without a legitimate medical purpose, and money laundering. Colangelo was also ordered to forfeit five properties valued at more than $2.5 million, approximately $911,951 seized from seven bank accounts and a safety deposit box, 52 vehicles and vessels worth more than $6 million and jewelry valued at approximately $20,000.
Mr. Trouville thanks the U.S Marshals Service, Miami Asset Forfeiture Unit for their support in the asset forfeiture process.
