MAJOR PIRACY BUST

Investigative Consultants conducted a long term investigation into two very large scale music piracy operations that were based in the Southern California area. The investigation involved conducting a long term undercover investigation in which one of our undercover investigators was able to infiltrate the piracy organizations. The undercover was able to make numerous purchases of pirated music from two very large distribution centers that appeared to be responsible for a large portion of pirated music to the Southern California area.

The Pirates operated their music piracy operation very similar to how drug dealers operate their criminal organizations. The pirates would meet their customers at predetermined meeting points. The pirates would transport the customers in their vehicles. The windows to the pirate vehicles were all "blacked out" so the customers could not see where they were being taken. The pirates also told the customers to keep their heads down and not to look up. The pirates would drive in circles to ensure that they were not being followed.

These efforts were not enough. The undercover investigator working the case was able to identify all the locations involved. The investigation was presented to the LAPD's Anti Piracy Unit. Search warrants were obtained and served at three locations on the same day. The operation resulted in two arrest and the seizure of over 157,000 pirated music CD's. This was the largest seizure of pirated music CD's in the LAPD's history.