News

Thousands of illegal DVDs sold at flea markets were seized after police conducted a series of raids on a "sophisticated" movie pirating ring in Ontario spanning from Burlington to Scarborough.

After receiving tips in January and February that pirated movies were being sold at four booths in the Mississauga Flea Market on Mavis Road, undercover Peel police investigators worked their way up the chain of command to the DVDs' suppliers and manufacturers, lead investigator Det. Sgt. David Mans said Tuesday.

The six-month investigation led to raids at 12 booths at the flea market on Sunday, as well as at homes in Brampton, Burlington and Scarborough. An arrest at a Mississauga business was the third for that person. Eighteen people have been arrested in total, while police are seeking warrants for eight others. Det. Sgt. Mans said the investigation is on-going.

In total, 40,000 movies worth $800,000 were seized, along with $10,000 in cash and sophisticated equipment with a capability of producing $21-million worth of pirated DVD movies per year.

Canada has developed a reputation worldwide for the distribution of bootleg movies, he said.

The movies were being sold for $5 or five for $20, Det. Sgt. Mans said, with many of them still playing in theatres and not available in video stores, such as Spider-Man 3, The Simpson's Movie and The Bourne Ultimatum.

Gary Osmond, director of anti-piracy operations at the Canadian Motion Picture Distributors Association, said movie piracy is resulting in an estimated $138 million in losses in Canada.