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Customs officers yesterday (Thursday) smashed two syndicates engaged in the production, distribution and retail of pirated CD-ROMs in Wan Chai.

Following in-depth investigations, officers attached to the Customs Intellectual Property Investigation Bureau yesterday evening raided four shops believed to be operated by two computer software pirating syndicates.

During the operation, the officers seized more than 22,000 pirated CD-ROMs and related equipment, totally worth about $1.1 million, and arrested eight men and four women, aged between 17 and 46.

"We shall continue our vigorous enforcement actions against piracy activities in an effort to preserve the good image of Hong Kong," a spokesman for the Customs and Excise Department said.

Last year, the Hong Kong Customs seized about 39 million pirated optical discs worth about $960 million, and arrested 1,645 suspects.

End/Friday, February 12, 1999

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