Counterfeit DVD operation raided in Louth

Thousands of counterfeit DVDs and CDs were seized in a raid on a counterfeit copying plant in Co Louth last night.

The operation is thought to have been in operation for a year, and had the potential to make between €20m and €30m.

Officials from the Irish Federation Against Copyright Theft joined local gardaí in the search, which was carried out at a premises around 7pm yesterday.

Spiderman 3 and Blades of Glory were among the new film releases being copied, along with various pornographic movies.

Seventy-four high-speed burners, capable of copying DVDs within three or four minutes, were recovered.

Sources say the plant was working on a two-shift basis, seven days a week and could produce 12,500 copies a day.

It is estimated that those responsible, could have made up to €30m during the year the pirate factory was allegedly in production.