Over 44,000 DVDs seized in counterfeit goods investigation (From York Press)

Over 44,000 DVDs seized in counterfeit goods investigation

11:39am Monday 28th January 2013 in News By Kate Liptrot, kate.liptrot@thepress.co.uk

POLICE have seized over 44,000 DVDs worth more than £200,000 from a house in North Yorkshire.

The DVDs - which are believed to be fake and were being sold through an internet shopping site - were seized at the property between Easingwold and Thirsk as part of an investigation into counterfeit goods.

A man and a woman in their thirties were arrested and have been bailed while the investigation continues.

Among the haul was 16,644 discs of the US drama series Homeland, 3,732 copies of the musical series Glee and 3,438 copies of the Supernatural series, as well as many other popular television dramas including Bones, The Killing and NCIS.

Officers also seized £3,500 in cash from the property.

Officers from North Yorkshire Police’s financial investigation unit carried out a search warrant at the detached home after an investigation revealed potential illegal sales of counterfeit DVDs via the internet, a police spokesman said.

Det Sgt Dave Edwards, of the financial investigation unit, said: “Trading in fake goods harms everyone from the unsuspecting buyer to legitimate businesses and the copyright owner. And in financially strained times it could mean the difference between a business surviving or not, potential job losses and harm to the economic climate."

In the past five years, North Yorkshire Police have seized £5.5m of illegally earned cash and assets, a police spokesman said.