Cops raid fake VCD factory

Police confiscated two duplicating machines for fake video compact discs (VCDs) worth millions of pesos and four boxes of finished products during a raid in Valenzuela City over the weekend.

Elements of the Regional Intelligence and Special Operations Office (RISOO) were scouring the metropolis for shabu factories when they stumbled upon the fake VCD plant at Unit 2 Pearl Island Industrial Compound in Barangay Punturin, said Metro Manila police chief Director Edgar Aglipay.

"The occupants escaped using the back door upon seeing our raiding team," said Aglipay, noting that the confiscation of the two imported duplicating machines is a big accomplishment in the government’s drive against fake VCDs and CDs.

According to Aglipay, the duplicating machines were worth P10 to P13 million each while its printer was priced at P8 million. Each machine, RISOO agents said, can produce at least 10,000 pieces of fake VCDs a day.

After a successful neutralization of the shabu laboratory in San Juan Friday last week during a joint operation with the Narcotics Group, RISOO agents received information regarding the operation of other shabu labs in other parts of Metro Manila.

And while conducting surveillance operations on their supposed targets, RISOO agents stumbled upon the fake VCD plant owned by a certain Cheung Kong in Valenzuela City, said Aglipay.

Kong was not around when RISOO agents led by Chief Inspector Mary Ilagan served the search warrant issued by Judge Floro Alejo, of the Valenzuela City Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 172 at about 11 a.m. yesterday.

The raiders were accompanied by the barangay chairman and local policemen. Kong and his workers could have escaped using an escape route found at the back of the bodega, Ilagan said. — Non Alquitran