Raids in London have led to the closure of the UK’s largest ever illegal DVD manufacturing facility as well as a sophisticated large-scale printing operation, printing covers for counterfeit DVDs.

Some 420 DVD burners were confiscated together with other equipment. In addition, there were approximately 60,000 burned and packaged DVDs ready to be despatched. Many of the discs featured the latest Hollywood blockbusters, including copies "Slumdog Millionaire," "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" and "Milk", which had just been released at UK cinemas.

Four people were arrested in connection with the production and distribution of counterfeit DVD covers and money laundering and have been released on police bail.

The Federation Against Copyright Theft (FACT), which assisted the City of London Police and the Metropolitan Police in this operation, estimates the commercial business has printed millions of covers over the past year. In addition to 38,000 blank DVDs, the police found one million printed covers.

The counterfeit DVDs, which are usually sold for approximately £3 each, are known to generate substantial criminal profits for those involved in their production.

Kieron Sharp, FACT Director General, said: "The illegal factory in Southall would have been capable of generating a criminal profit in excess of £1 million per week and we know there are dozens of such factories operating across London and in other cities in the UK."

Story filed 31.03.09