WEST NEW YORK — The Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office confirmed Thursday that Daoyi Huang, a West New York shop owner from Queens, was charged this week with allegedly pirating and counterfeiting thousands of DVDs and CDs.
Hudson County Prosecutor Edward DeFazio said that his office received information that Huang was producing, supplying, and selling the counterfeit items which led to an investigation that began in May and included surveillance and undercover purchases.
A search warrant was executed at Sirena’s Gift Shop on Bergenline Avenue on July 30, which yielded thousands of counterfeit movies and music valued at more than $50,000 along with equipment used to duplicate, package, and label the DVDs and CDs.
According to the report, among the titles seized were new releases as well as pornography videos.
DeFazio said Huang allegedly provided the counterfeit materials to lower level people, but Huang is the only person charged as of now. DeFazio added that there is a possibility that Huang was supplying to people in Queens as well and information from the investigation has been passed on to New York City officials.
“This is something that is an ongoing problem not only in our area but throughout the country,” said DeFazio.
DeFazio said that in Hudson County there have been several incidents in the past involving defendants who were in possession of significant amounts of counterfeit items – and not only DVD’s and CD’s, but also clothing and handbags.
While in this particular case the counterfeit reproductions were “high quality,” DeFazio cautioned that on many occasions the illegally copied goods are not up to par.
Additionally, he said, the proceeds from such operations often fund various other types of illegal conduct such as drugs and terrorism.
“In this case we believe that it was strictly for his profit,” said DeFazio. “But the New Jersey Office of Homeland Security is very concerned about these operations and how the proceeds can make their way to organizations that could cause us harm.”