A raid conducted by law enforcement officials in Mexico’s San Juan de Dios Market seized over 20 tons of contraband, including video games and video game accessories.
Executed by Mexico’s ProcuradurÃa General de la República and Agencia Federal de Investigación, the raid uncovered some 91,200 illegal game copies, 130,000 game cover inserts, and 3,200 empty game boxes in booths suspected of containing pirated software.
According to trade body Entertainment Software Association (ESA), the San Juan de Dios Market, which is one of the largest markets in Guadalajara, is “notorious” for harboring and selling illicit goods, including pirated games for various platforms.
The ESA investigated the area during the months preceding the raid and hopes that it will decrease the sale of pirated goods in the region.
Mexican authorities conducted a similar operation earlier this year in the Tepito area in Mexico City, descending on game duplication facilities and storage locations, seizing roughly 290 DVD/CD burners, 28,800 copies of pirated games, and 900,000 game cover inserts.
Piracy in markets such as San Juan de Dios hurts businesses engaging in the legitimate distribution and retailing of computer and video games,” says ESA CEO Michael D. Gallagher.
He continues,
“We commend Mexican law enforcement officials for their actions in this raid and are committed to fully supporting authorities around the world who conduct these kinds of enforcement actions.â€
It’s a feel-good story for those of us who spend our hard earned cash on original games every month, but I’d love to see more news like this come out of South Africa.
Source: Gamasutra
Last Updated: November 12, 2008
Wesley
November 12, 2008 at 16:12
ou you know our cops can be bribed easily i once bribed a cop R20 when he pulled me off for speeding. I was pissed after that was the last of my money and it was meant for my cigarettes lol
Scotty777
November 12, 2008 at 18:23
wow, it really looks like the world is focusing on piracy… this could be the start to a great gaming era
bunnyfight
November 12, 2008 at 20:08
Dear Mexican Government
Please send some of the 91000 games my way.
Just a few (like 1000) will be fine.
thanks
Scotty777
November 13, 2008 at 06:47
ye! that would be awesome hey… and I bet out of those 91000 copies, 1/3 will find there way back on the streets
spl0it
November 13, 2008 at 11:03
Who are you tryin’ to get crazy with, ese? Don’t you know I’m loco? …