Major police crackdown on organised piracy leads to 10 arrests and more than 600 CD burners seized

July 26, 2006

The Fiscal Police in Rome announced the conclusion of a two year investigation against three separate criminal organisations operating between Rome and Naples. The GdF identified and seized several locations where pirate CDs and DVDs were distributed, a mastering facility in the centre of Naples and apartments where high speed CD burners were running. A total of 600 CD burners have been seized in addition to more than 100,000 illegal CDs and DVDs.

Three different pirate gangs from Naples have been dismantled with 10 individuals being arrested and more than 40 being indicted for organised crime and copyright infringement.

In a recent interview, the National Anti-mafia Attorney, Piero Grasso, confirmed the increased involvement of mafia gangs in piracy and counterfeiting, especially in Naples. According to Grasso, low risk and high profits are the reasons why distribution of fake goods is replacing tobacco smuggling in the gangs' business dealings.

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