Media Centre / Case Studies
Date: 15/10/2006
Location: Clwyd, North Wales
A search warrant was executed on a residential address as a result of an operation on a local market in North Wales. Approximately 4000 DVDs and music CDs were seized from the property. Police also found drugs in the premises consisting of quantities heroin and cannabis. The two individuals were also under investigation for benefit fraud and inquiries are still ongoing.
Associated crime types: Drugs and Benefit fraud
Date: 27/09/2006
Location: Port Talbot, South Wales
A male was arrested when South Wales Police executed a search warrant on a home address in relation to a football hooligan enquiry. Upon searching the property, police officers discovered approximately 600 counterfeit DVDs. Police officers also discovered a stun gun in the property. Investigations are currently ongoing.
Associated crime types: Offensive weapons
Date: 19/07/2006
Location: Denbighshire, North Wales
A North Wales Police investigation into fraud resulted in the discovery of counterfeit DVDs, audio CDs and PC games at a house in Denbighshire. The defendant was under investigation for having written cheques to himself and his wife in excess of £9000. The accused worked for a local tenants association and suspicions were aroused when large sums of money began to disappear. During the house search Police also seized a computer, DVD burner and printer.
North Wales Police are due to prosecute in the matter.
Associated crime types: Fraud
Date: 05/05/2006
Location: Swansea, South Wales
A male Chinese national was arrested selling door to door in a residential area in Swansea. The male was caught in position of over 200 DVDs, 80 of which were pornographic. The male was immediately charged by local Police and appeared before Swansea Magistrates Court the following day.
The male pleaded guilty to 12 Trade Mark Offences and 5 Video Recording Act offences for the pornographic material. The male was given a sentence of 4 months imprisonment concurrently for each offence.
Associated crime types: Pornography
Date: 18/04/2006
Location: Rhyl, North Wales
A routine stop of a male street seller by North Wales Police highlighted the increasing link between DVD piracy and other counterfeit products. The street seller was caught with 150 DVDs and found to be in the possession of counterfeit tobacco and cigarettes. When prompted to show any additional counterfeit products, the male produced some counterfeit rail cards which he had also planned to sell.
Associated crime types: Counterfeit tobacco and counterfeit documents
Date: 05/10/2005
Location: North Wales
The alarming link between Paedophilia and DVD piracy was highlighted in a routine raid carried out in October last year. Following a complaint from a local school that a coffee shop was selling counterfeit DVDs, Trading Standard officers searched the property and found a thousand DVDs and CDs. The investigation also uncovered two burners and one computer. Forensic analysis of the computer revealed Paedophiliac material and the matter was immediately furthered to the North Wales High Tech Crime Unit who carried out forensic analysis. The case is currently ongoing.
Associated crime types: Paedophiliac material