HONG KONG -- Hong Kong's anti-corruption police said today that they have seized 8 million pirated video compact discs and arrested 12 people, including a customs officer, in connection with a bribery case.
The Independent Commission Against Corruption said the haul of VCDs was worth HK$200 million (US$25.7 million). Officials said they also seized HK$450 million (US$57.8 million) worth of manufacturing equipment.
The operation culminated an investigation into allegations that a syndicate manufacturing counterfeit VCDs was offering bribes to a customs official in return for his tips on planned raids. During the sweep on Sunday the commission deployed 200 officers and raided 53 sites across the territory. A spokeswoman said the investigation was continuing.
Hong Kong, strongly criticized by the United States and international copyright protection groups as a major manufacturing center for illegal CDs, has cracked down on piracy in recent months.
Last week, the territory scored its biggest bust of illegal music, movie, and pornographic compact discs, seizing a million CDs worth US$3.4 million.
