RIAA Anti-Piracy Seizure Information
Alabama | California | Florida | Georgia | Illinois | Indiana | Maryland | New Jersey | New York | North Carolina | Pennsylvania | Tennessee | Texas | Dominican Republic
Alabama
June 2, 2006 – An ABC agent in Selma seized 2,100 counterfeit CD-Rs and 25 DVDs from a suspect on U.S. Highway 80 East. The suspect admitted knowing that the DVDs and CDs were counterfeit and stated that he was being supplied by his father in Atlanta, Georgia. He was conducting a temporary outside vending operation and was not arrested. It is anticipated that an agent will present this matter to the District Attorney in Dallas County, Alabama for probable grand jury action.
California
June 27, 2006 – A defendant was convicted and sentenced to ninety days in county jail and ordered to pay $1,500 restitution. Stemming from an arrest on May 14th, 2006 seizure of 1,400 CDs in L.A. County.
June 25, 2006 – 4,803 CD-Rs were surrendered by six vendors at a Swap Meet in Huntington Beach. C&D/voluntary surrenders followed training conducted by RIAA for 24 management and security personnel at the swap meet.
June 15, 2006 – A defendant was convicted in San Diego and sentenced to 180 days in the county jail concerning a February 2006 arrest, during which three burners, 310 CD-Rs and 298 DVDs were seized following the arrest in a parking lot and consenting to a search at their residence which uncovered a burner lab.
June 15, 2006 – The Oakland Police Department executed a search warrant on a business lab; seized were 12 burners, 1,442 CD-Rs, 2,536 DVDs and raw materials with a search warrant. Four subjects were arrested.
June 10, 2006 – The LAPD Rampart Station seized 12 burners, 2,886 CD-Rs and 2,667 DVDs from a search warrant at a residential burner lab. Two subjects were arrested.
June 6, 2006 – The LAPD Anti Piracy Unit used a search warrant to seize 8,139 CD-Rs and 9,149 DVDs from a distribution storage facility in Los Angeles, there was one arrest.
June 4, 2006 – The LAPD Central Station recovered 4,087 abandoned CDs. The enforcement action sweep occurred on May 24 but was reported late to the RIAA.
Florida
June 27, 2006 – The Miami-Dade Police Department, with assistance from the MPAA, seized 4,646 movie DVD-Rs from a retail store in Miami. One suspect was arrested.
June 14, 2006 – An investigator from the MPAA received a call from the Division of Alcoholic Beverage & Tobacco requesting assistance in a retail raid. The Miami Field Office assisted in the retail raid, that resulted in the arrest of one individual, and the seizure of 4,079 CDs, 2,530 movie DVDs and 4 Towers with 10 Burners.
Georgia
June 28, 2006 – RIAA investigators assisted the Atlanta Police Department Narcotics Unit in a plain view seizure of 17,150 pirated urban CD-Rs, and 7,740 pirated DVDs at a retail store located on Simpson Road in the City of Fulton County. The suspect was arrested and told officials that he was getting his product from NYC.
June 16, 2006 – The State of Georgia found the suspect guilty of two felony counts of true name and address violations. The defendant will serve 60 days active, four years probation, and has to pay restitution in the amount of $3,999.16 to the RIAA and MPAA. The suspect was arrested pursuant to a traffic stop in which officers discovered several pirated CD-Rs in his vehicle, and then conducted a subsequent search of his residence where more illegal sound recordings were discovered. A total of 198 pirated CD-Rs were seized that day.
Illinois
June 20, 2006 – RIAA/MPAA investigators and Chicago Police Department (11th District) executed a search warrant at an apartment in Chicago. It served as a distribution location for illegal CDs and DVDs. The location was part of a months-long joint investigation by RIAA and MPAA investigators. Investigators made several undercover buys at the location and informed police of the illegal activity. Seized from the apartment were 931 counterfeit/pirate CD-Rs and 1,427 counterfeit movie DVD-Rs. One individual was arrested and charged; another arrest is pending.
June 19, 2006 – A search warrant was executed on a burner lab in Chicago. Police assisted by RIAA and MPAA investigators seized 100 counterfeit and piratical CD-Rs, 250 counterfeit movie DVD-Rs, 50 CD/DVD burners, 500 masters, several thousand pieces of artwork, a copier and two computers from the location. RIAA and MPAA investigators have been investigating this location for approximately two months. No arrests were made at the time of the search warrant.
June 10, 2006 – Chicago Police Department (11th District Tactical Unit), assisted by RIAA and MPAA investigators conducted a raid at Buyer’s Flea Market, where 1,468 counterfeit/pirate CD-Rs and 94 counterfeit movie DVD-Rs were seized. Two individuals were arrested and charged with felonies. June 8, 2006 – RIAA and MPAA investigators assisted the Robbins Police Department in a raid at the Robbins Flea Market in Markham, IL. A total of 4,212 counterfeit/pirate CD-Rs, 480 counterfeit cassette tapes, & 1,121 counterfeit movie DVD-Rs were seized from several different booths. Four individuals were arrested and charged.
Indiana
May 23, 2006 – South Bend Police Department, assisted by RIAA and MPAA investigators executed a search warrant on a local convenience store and seized 1,039 counterfeit and piratical CD-Rs, one shotgun, a .38 revolver, one rifle and three bulletproof vests from the store. The store clerk was arrested and charged with charges pending for the store owner was not present at the time of the warrant. Before this incident, in July 2005, South Bend Police seized 1,077 counterfeit and piratical CD-Rs and 774 counterfeit movie DVD-Rs from this location.
Maryland
June 23, 2006 – RIAA investigators and Baltimore City Police (Western District Flex Unit) executed a search warrant at a local retail store that was also serving as a distribution location of counterfeit music and movies. Investigators and police seized 1,212 counterfeit/pirate CD-Rs, 24 counterfeit music DVD-Rs, and 248 counterfeit movies DVD-Rs. Four individuals were arrested and charged. One of the individuals was also found with a small amount of heroin.
June 23, 2006 – Baltimore City Police (Northeastern District), assisted by RIAA investigators, executed a search warrant on a local retail store. Police and investigators seized 1,495 counterfeit/pirate CD-Rs, 963 counterfeit movies DVD-Rs, two CD/DVD burners, a computer and a Lexmark printer/scanner/copier. The owner of the business was arrested and charged.
New Jersey
June 23, 2006 – A defendant pleaded guilty (to charges for the sale of illegal CD-Rs) in Camden County Superior Court. The defendant was sentenced to two years in state prison and ordered to pay $3,958.00 restitution to the RIAA.
June 12, 2006 – RIAA investigators responded to the Camden (NJ) License & Inspections agency after officers called and reported that they had confiscated 1,296 counterfeit/pirate CD-Rs from street vendors on State & Harrison. No arrests were made at the time of seizure.
New York
June 24, 2006 – The New York State Police SIU Long Island, along with RIAA investigators executed a search warrant at a burner lab located in Uniondale, NY resulting in one arrest and the seizure of 28 burners, 1,327 pirated CD-Rs, 5,000 pieces of raw material, two printers, one CPU and a 1990 Nissan Sentra.
June 23, 2006 – The NYPD 52 Pct., with assistance by RIAA investigators, executed a search warrant at a burner lab, in the Bronx, NY. That resulted with two arrests and the seizure of one tower totaling ten Burners, 2,100 pirate CD-Rs, 700 Latin pirate CD-Rs, raw materials, one heat gun and one shrink wrap machine.
June 14, 2006 – RIAA investigators assisted the NYPD’s OCID Unit in executing a search warrant at Brook Ave., Bronx, N. Y. This action resulted in one arrest and the seizure of 1,200 CD-Rs, 700 Music DVD-Rs, 7,408 MPAA DVD-Rs and ten boxes of raw materials.
June 13, 2006 – The NYPD OCID, assisted by the RIAA investigators, executed a search warrant at a burner lab, on Sherman Ave., New York, NY. Resulting in one arrest, the seizure of one tower totaling 8 DVD/CD burners, one box raw materials containing blank CDR’s and inserts, 1,179 pirate CDR’s, 500 pirate music DVDR’s and 48 MPAA/DVD-Rs.
June 8, 2006 – RIAA investigators assisted the NYPD’s 1st Pct. to execute a search warrant on Canal St. This action resulted in one arrest and the seizure of 13,000 CD-Rs, 310 music DVD-Rs and 3,613 MPAA DVDRs.
June 8, 2006 – RIAA investigators assisted the NYPD’s Midtown South Pct. in enforcement actions of a distributor at 30th Street, NYC, resulting in one arrest and the seizure of 5,400 pirate CD-Rs.
June 7, 2006 – RIAA investigators assisted the NYPD’s Midtown South Pct. with enforcement action on 37th St. This action resulted in two arrests and the seizure of 12,600 CDRs, 2,300 music DVDR’s and 19,705 MPAA DVD-Rs.
North Carolina
June 8, 2006 – Durham Police responded to an armed robbery call involving items stolen from a van. Upon their arrival, an officer noticed several boxes of what appeared to be counterfeit sound recordings in the van’s cargo area. These items were in plain view and were subsequently seized as evidence. A total of 1,206 CD-Rs and 582 DVD-Rs were confiscated. The officer arrested the complainant for filing a false report in regards to the armed robbery complaint.
June 6, 2006 – RIAA Investigator’s and agents from the North Carolina Secretary of State’s Office raided a burner lab in Durham. The RIAA received information several months ago concerning the illegal manufacturing and distribution of unauthorized sound recordings. Upon conducting an investigation into the location and making several undercover “buys”, the owner was approached and gave consent to have his residence searched. Agents seized 18 burners, 4,431 CD-Rs, and 709 masters. The owner was charged.
Pennsylvania
June 2006 – RIAA investigators assisted Pennsylvania State Police (Reading Vice/Narcotics) with a search warrant on a storefront in Reading. Police and RIAA investigators confiscated 10,018 counterfeit CD-Rs, 1,420 counterfeit movie DVD-Rs, and 21 CD/DVD burners from the location. The owner of the location was arrested and charged with felonies.
Tennessee
June 15, 2006 – The Knoxville Police Department executed a search warrant at a business. Upon entering the business officers seized 413 counterfeit CD-Rs, 211 illicit DVDs, two handguns, one CD player and counterfeit clothing. The owner will be indicted pursuant to Tennessee law. This is the second search warrant served on the business in less than five months. In February officers seized over 1,300 CD-Rs from the same location as well as MPAA product.
Texas
June 26, 2006 – Travis County Grand Jury indicted five defendants from the El Gran Mercado Flea Market in Austin, Texas on Nov 2005. Warrants have been issued for their arrest and detectives will coordinate a “round up” and attempt additional seizures.
June 24, 2006 – RIAA Investigators assisted the Dallas police department with a buy-bust operation by a street vendor located on Village Fair Dr. in Dallas, Texas. Officers seized a total of 928 CD-Rs pirates and 3,291 DVD/MPAA as well as identified five suspects who were directly linked to the sale of pirated movies and/or music. No arrests were made but suspects will be charged with violating Texas Actual name and address statute.
June 17, 2006 – RIAA investigators assisted the Houston Police Department with raids at a flea market. Officers made 4 arrests and seized 622 CD-R pirates and 8,319 DVD/MPAA. The suspects will be processed for Unlawful Labeling, TX Business Commerce Code 35.94.
June 4, 2006 – An investigative consultant was contacted by the owner of a restaurant, after previously serving a voluntary surrender. The owner notified the IC that there was a street vendor on W. Davis, at the parking lot of La Palsanita Taqueria (Dallas). Upon observing the IC the vendor abandoned 2,573 CD-R pirates. IC issued the parking lot owner a C &D letter.
June 3, 2006 – RIAA investigators assisted Harlingen PD and ICE with raids and seizures at Harlingen Flea Market. Officers seized 5,630 piratical CD-Rs, 3,933 counterfeit movie DVDs and arrested eleven vendors for violation of the Texas Actual Name and Address statute. The arrests created media attention and three television stations provided media coverage including Univision.
Dominican Republic
June 15, 2006 – The RIAA assisted various law enforcement agencies in a large-scale operation in Santo Domingo in which a total of 20,010 music CD-Rs were seized from various distributors. Five individuals were arrested.
June 6, 2006 – The RIAA assisted law enforcement in the seizure of 4,212 CD-Rs from various street vendors in Santo Domingo.