Los Angeles: On May 20, 2004, Los Angeles Police Department’s Central Area Vice officers served two search warrants as a result of an investigation regarding illegally copied DVDs. The investigation revealed two separate locations involved in the manufacturing of counterfeit DVDs. Sales from both locations were traced back to vendors from the "Santee Alley" of the Garment District.

The first location was in the East Los Angeles Area. Officers recovered three computer towers used to copy DVDs, one TV/VCR, one DVD player, packaging equipment, and over 300 illegally replicated DVDs of various movie titles. Miguel Angeles, 32 years old, was arrested for manufacturing counterfeit DVDs. Maria Camarina, 27 years old, was arrested for sales of counterfeit DVDs.

The second location was in the West Lake Area of Los Angeles. Officers recovered six computer towers each with seven DVD burners, two computer towers with eight DVD burners, 17,200 blank DVDs, 8026 illegally replicated DVDs of various movie titles, 18 VCR’s, two DVD players, two TV monitors, packaging equipment, and $10,000 in cash. Fernando Arista, 40 years old, was arrested for manufacturing counterfeit DVD’s.

The Los Angeles Police Department will continue an aggressive enforcement attitude towards the counterfeit trade of the movies and music in the City.

Anyone with information regarding this investigation is asked to call Central Area Vice at 213-485-3296. During off-hours and on weekends, please call the toll free 24-Hour number of the Detective Information Desk at 1-877-LAWFULL (1-877-529-3855).

This news release was prepared by Public Information Officer Rudy Villarreal, Media Relations Section at 213-485-3586.