RIAA Anti-Piracy Seizure Information
California | Georgia | Illinois | New York | Oregon | Pennsylvania
California
June 2007 – The Fresno Police Department immediately initiated a traffic stop on a suspect’s van after it failed to signal at an intersection. As officers neared the vehicle, they noticed an abnormally large amount of CDs in the back of the van. The items in the van were inspected and deemed pirated by investigators. The suspect had been driving around with 9,139 pirated CDs in the back of his van. During the search and inspection of the CDs, investigators found a receipt for a storage facility. Officers pursued search warrants for the storage facility as well as the suspect’s residence. While executing the search warrants, investigators determined the 9,000 CDs to only be the tip of the iceberg. At the storage facility, detectives examined thousands of items that appeared to be counterfeit/ pirated. Investigators from the Western Regional Office determined everything in the storage facility was in fact pirated. Officials were able to seize and secure 53,662 CDs, 162,500 printed insert cards and 301,000 spine labels from the storage facility. Combined with the suspect’s van, a total of 66,801 CDs were seized.
Georgia
June 13, 2007 – After a break-in occurred at a retail store in Atlanta, officials were on the scene to investigate. During the course of the investigation, they stumbled upon a secret room. The room contained thousands of suspected counterfeit CDs and DVDs. Investigators were notified by detectives and assisted in the seizure of 9,490 CDRs and 11,431 DVDs.
June 16, 2007 – In December 2006, the FBI raided a warehouse complex in Fulton County. The man who operated the buildings fled the scene and eluded capture. On June 16, 2007, the man was found. The RIAA assisted the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office in executing a search warrant on the same location from December. The warehouse complex was raided. Investigators discovered the same man who ran from the FBI, at the very same location. The search obtained 23,490 counterfeit CDs and 9,141 counterfeit DVDs. The warehouse operator was finally arrested and taken into custody.
June 26, 2007 -Investigators were notified about a possible CD/ DVD manufacturing lab in Atlanta. A pest control contractor had entered a location and found more than just rodents. He noticed what appeared to be a manufacturing lab. The RIAA assisted the Smyrna Police Department in raiding the location. During the execution of the search warrant, officers did in fact discover a CD/DVD burner lab. Investigators helped in seizing 1,392 counterfeit DVDRs, 2 external hard drives and 1 PC with three burners. The owner was arrested on the scene and taken into custody.
Illinois
June 21, 2007 – A previously vacant K-Mart store on Chicago’s Southside was originally closed down after the Chapter 11 bankruptcy. The building was later converted into an indoor mall where vendors could sell their products. The building was under a six-month investigation for selling pirated CDs and DVDs. On June 21, 2007, investigators from the Chicago Office worked with the Chicago PD in raiding the old K-Mart. Search warrants were executed on four separate retail stores for selling illegal CDs and DVDs. The Chicago PD arrested a total of 12 suspects for manufacturing and distributing illegal music and video. Officials seized 53 burners, 8,340 CDRs, 3,130 DVDRs, 6 copiers, 80,000 blank CDRs, 120,000 blank DVDRs and 175,000 slim jewel cases. Additionally, counterfeit currency, vehicle stickers, clothing, shoes, jewelry, purses and sunglasses were all confiscated.
New York
June 22, 2007 – Investigators assisted the NYPD’s 101pct in executing a search warrant. Officials teamed up in Queens to stop a burner lab from manufacturing and distributing CDs and DVDs. Three were arrested at the location. Investigators were able to seize 40 burners, 2,900 pirated CDRs, 200 music video DVDRs, 4,410 MPAA movies, one computer, one laptop, one Rimage printer and assorted raw materials.
Oregon
June 9, 2007 – RIAA and MPAA Investigators teamed with the Beaverton Police Department in Oregon. Two locations had been under investigation for selling pirated CDs and DVDs. The first location was a swap meet in Hillsboro, OR. Seven buildings made up the swap meet with an estimated 13-15 vendor booths selling illegal CDs/ DVDs. Investigators assisted in serving a search warrant which resulted in five arrests. After the search of each vendor, officials seized 15,631 CDs, 71 music videos and 11,096 DVDs. Investigators also helped in the search and seizure of a flea market in Hillsboro, OR. After a dozen or so vendors were raided, officials were able to seize 17,343 CDRs, 1,263 CDs, 1,258 music videos and 4,054 DVDs.
Pennsylvania
June 5, 2007 – An investigation initiated in March of 2007 led to major busts in June 2007. Two separate distribution locations were under the watchful eye of officials. The targets moved their operation between both locations several times, in order to avoid detection. Investigators continued surveillance and several undercover buys. On June 5, 2007, the Philadelphia PD received a call from the owner of one of the properties. He had stumbled upon a large amount of computer equipment, CDs and DVDs in the basement. This gave investigators the chance to make their move. Officials secured two search warrants, one for the lab and another for the distribution location. They were able to seize 81 burners, 1,943 CDs, 55 music DVDs and 6,136 movie DVDs.