A squad of 350 Customs officers seized $5.3 million worth of pirated VCDs and CDs yesterday in raids on more than 70 shops.
Thirty-seven people were arrested in the operation, codenamed Thunderbolt, which took place appropriately enough on the eve of the Anti-Piracy Day demonstration. A Customs and Excise Department spokesman said the operation would be continued and more staff used.
But Chan Wai-yin of the 2,600-strong Hong Kong Customs Officers Union said they were facing a hard battle against copyright pirates because of staff shortages.
He said colleagues from other sections often had to be seconded to help in anti-piracy operations.
'There are only about 100 officers specialising in anti-piracy action, it's impossible for them to cover every corner of Hong Kong,' Mr Chan said.
He called on the Government to increase the number of frontline anti-piracy officers as he said retail pirates could resume business quickly after being raided.
