Four members of a criminal network involved in a multi-million pound film piracy 'industry' in the UK have been jailed for a total of 18 years. The gang provided a 'one stop shop' supply service for other criminal gangs producing and selling counterfeit DVDs in London and the South East, with international links.


The operation, codenamed Donets, began in the early part of 2006 following an interception of a parcel by at Stansted Airport which contained a Toyota car catalogue with ten stamper discs hidden in the pages utilised for industrial DVD replication machinery.

An extensive surveillance operation was conducted at the home and various business addresses connected to the directors and family associates of the company, Samrana Ltd. The organized crime groups they were supplying a workforce of largely illegal Chinese immigrants who had been trafficked into the UK for this purpose.

Detective Chief Superintendent Nigel Mawer, Economic and Specialist crime command, Film Piracy Unit, Met Police, said:

"This sentencing is the result of three years' hard work and investigation into the activity of an extensive criminal network. Film piracy is not a victimless crime and it is crucial that the public ask themselves if they want to play a part in the exploitation of vulnerable people by buying illegal DVD's.

The four criminals were remanded in custody on 14 July (read full story)

Story filed 28.07.09