Cops, hustlers differ on bootleg items

Over the last year, detectives from the Counter-Terrorism and Organised Crime Investigation branch (C-TOC), seized more than six million CDs and DVDs, 33,000 pairs of imitation brand footwear, 25,000 pieces of fake apparel, and a large quantity of fake cigarettes, rum and bleaching cream.

The total estimated value of the items seized is about $1.5 billion.

Senior Superintendent Clifford Chambers said the trade in counterfeit goods is linked to an organised crime network which funds illicit activities.

"During this campaign, several persons and companies were exposed to mass operation and the results are encouraging," he said, adding that the seized items will be destroyed. "We conducted 32 major operations islandwide. We arrested 25 persons for serious intellectual property rights breaches. We formally interviewed 112 persons, and so far we have had 12 convictions."

But the seizures, especially of the CDs and DVDs, have not gone down well with 'street hustlers' who sell these products to survive.

For a 21-year-old man, who gave his name only as 'Blacks', he is simply trying to survive.

"It look like them want we fi thief or turn gunman or bruck people place. It nuh make nuh sense," said CDs seller 'Blacks', 21. "So you know say we stay far from out a fi dem (the police) reach."

Blacks said he is vigilant and avoids certain locations in the Corporate Area, simply because he has to play a game of cat and mouse with the police.

But Jamaicans continue to support the illicit trade. As THE WEEKEND STAR spoke with Blacks, passersby enquired about the latest music offerings in his possession.