Swap meet raid yields arrests, pirated products
HILLSBORO, Ore. - Police arrested 10 people and seized more than $800,000 in counterfeit movies, music and clothing from two Hillsboro swap meets Saturday in what may be Oregon's biggest piracy raid.
Undercover detectives on Saturday carried away more than 50,000 bootleg DVDs and CDs after raiding the Millennium Flea Market and the M & M Swap Meet.
Authorities found cheap copies burned by computer and high quality discs of movies still in theaters that were manufactured almost like the real thing.
"The machines that are used to make the pirate ... product usually start at $1 million, so the capital flows into these piracy operations are humongous," said Marcus Cohen, one of 20 people from Hollywood's movie and music business who came to Oregon to help in the raid.
The bust could lead authorities to the top of a piracy ring that steals millions of dollars from copyright holders around the world.
Beaverton police on Sunday identified the 10 people arrested as:
- America Benito, 32
- Laura Morales-Carrasco 27
- Silvia Hernandez, 44
- Daniel Flores-Armenta, 22
- Jose Ibiana-Romero, 19
- Ma Maldonado, 46
- Jose Romero-Esquivel, 36
- Miquel Orduna-Alonso, 28
- Victor Garcia, 37
- Martha Telez, no age available
Conner Hearty said he called police when he saw phony DVDs at the M & M.
Several law enforcement agencies worked together on the ensuing investigation.
They not only found counterfeit discs but more than $40,000 worth of phony clothes and toys.
Authorities said if you knowingly buy counterfeit goods, you could be charged with accepting stolen property. Police said if you spot somebody selling such stuff, give them a call.