Assets of alleged smuggling kingpin Lai Changxing, ranging from luxury cars to works of art, have raised 5.7 million yuan (HK$5.3 million) at public auction.
The sum would have been higher, had not a mystery bidder for the two most expensive items - a bullet-proof Mercedes-Benz and a Porsche sports car - withdrawn at the last minute.
A spokesman for the Xiamen Special Auction Company said more than 250 people took part in the auction on Sunday afternoon, adding that funds raised exceeded expectations.
'The things which Lai bought were top quality. That is why so many people came to buy them,' he said.
There were 42 lots, belonging to Lai and his Yuan Hua company, most of them from the Red Chamber, a pleasure house that he built in the southeast port of Xiamen to entertain city and national government officials.
One bidder from the neighbouring city of Zhangzhou paid 500,000 yuan for furniture and equipment from a gym that was used by bodyguards and drivers of the officials while their bosses were being entertained with abalone, cognac and women on the upper floors.
Another 1.3 million yuan was raised from the sale of 15 cars, which included Volkswagen Santanas, Toyota Camrys, a Toyota tour bus and minibuses made by a Xiamen firm.
