Seven men and two women have been arrested and are presently detained in police custody following a police operation which recovered thousands of counterfeit DVD’s with an estimated value of £350,000 and over 100 DVD burners.

Around 7am yesterday morning, Tuesday 10 February, police officers executed a warrant at an address in Lenzie Way, Springburn, Glasgow and recovered the DVD’s together with the disc burners capable of mass producing illegal DVD’s.

Speaking today, Detective Inspector Alan Hunter, who led this operation said: “We have been actively targeting the activities of those involved in serious and organised crime.  By working together with FACT (Federation Against Copyright Theft) we have successfully disrupted a group of individuals involved in illegal activities.  The manufacture of counterfeit DVD’s is not only criminal but often controlled by organised crime networks as a means of funding their activities.  We will continue our focus on such groups.”

Kieron Sharp, FACT Director General, said: “This is an excellent result uncovering a criminal enterprise capable of producing counterfeit DVDs with a street value of over £300,000 per week. However we also know that these ‘factories’ are often not operating in isolation and we will continue to work with Strathclyde Police to target the people and criminal organisations behind them.”

To report the manufacture or sale of counterfeit DVDs call the charity CrimeStoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or contact your local Safer Neighbourhoods team.