Major replicating labs seized in Brazil

Sao Paulo, 6th May 2008

Brazilian police conducted a major raid in the town of Presidente Prudente which led to the dismantling of a network of illegal replicating facilities in a city regarded as a major distribution point for pirate CDs and DVDs.

The Regional Organized Crime Unit of the Military Police (GAECO) in the State of Sao Paulo conducted the operation in the town, some 300 miles from city of Sao Paulo, on 29th April 2008.

The operation was directed at 11 major points of sale throughout the town and three separate replicating laboratories. A total of almost 200 burners and 40,000 discs containing counterfeit music and movies were seized. One laboratory alone had 104 burners that produced approximately 12,500 pirate discs daily. More than 50 police officers were deployed in the operation.

The local anti-piracy unit, APCM Brazil, a joint venture between the film and music industries, provided logistical and technical support to the operation.