RIAA Anti-Piracy Seizure Information
New York
On January 29, 2004, the New York Police Department’s 46th Precinct, assisted by investigators of the RIAA’s New York Office, executed a Search Warrant at 1848 Monroe Avenue, Bronx, New York. This resulted in the arrest of one individual and the seizure of 31,800 Latin Counterfeit and Pirated sound recordings in CD-R format, 1,080 Music DVDs, 10,000 inserts and 200 clear jewel cases.
On January 23, 2004, the New York Police Department, with the assistance of the RIAA’s New York Office, executed a search warrant at an illicit manufacturing and distribution location (123 Wadsworth Ave), a basement apartment in Manhattan. One person was arrested and police seized seven-32x CD-R burners, computer equipment, 2,000 labels and 4,200 counterfeit sound recordings in CD-R format. The seizure was 100% Latin repertoire – artists copied were Frankie Reyes, Celia Cruz, Jerry Rivera, Anthony Santos, Aventura and Julio Inglesias.
On January 23, 2004, an additional warrant was executed at the distribution location (1225 Broadway, Rm#711). Approximately 6,400 counterfeit sound recordings in CD-R format were seized at the location. At the same time, a second distributor was raided in Room 813 resulting in the arrest of one subject and the seizure of 12,000 counterfeit sound recordings in CD-R format. Artists copied were Michael Jackson, Luther Vandross, Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston, Mark Anthony, Rod Stewart and many others. Approximately 10% of the Seizures were of the Latin music genre.
On January 22, 2004, the New York Police Department, assisted by the RIAA, raided a CD-R manufacturing location in the Bronx, NY. This operation was located in a private residence and had been under investigation by the RIAA’s New York Office for approximately two weeks. There were 38-52x burners and one tower of DVD-R burners seized during the raid. Four arrests were made as a result of the raid.