Millions of alleged bootleg CDs seized

MOSCOW, March 18 (UPI) -- Russian police have uncovered an operation that distributed pirated recordings and DVDs in the Moscow region.

More than 3.5 million compact discs and DVDs were seized from two warehouses, Itar-Tass reported. The press office of the police Economic Security Department said they included recordings of popular foreign and Russian performers and of recently released movies.

Investigators also reported finding rolls of excise stamps and packaging equipment.

The alleged ringleaders of the group tried to protect their business by threatening the lives of police officers and their relatives if their storage facilities were searched, police said.