The stolen vehicles were stored at a warehouse in Irvington, New Jersey before being shipped out of the Port of Newark to Ghana and Nigeria.
The victim is speaking out and said his near-death experience serves as a cautionary tale.
The carjacking happened around 10:50 p.m. on Saturday on Ward Avenue in the Soundview section.
Police say four of the five cars have been recovered and at least two people have been taken into custody.
The massive crackdown was carried out by New York State Police and the NYPD, in Howard Beach, Queens.
Investigators identified 43 stolen New Jersey vehicles valued at approximately $3.65 million in two parking garages in the Bronx.