BRIEFS. national

$15 million in goods confiscated from labs

Despite the conviction of 68 people for piracy and the seizure of $15 million in counterfeit products in 2007, no one is serving time for the crimes.

"All of the 68 people arrested last year were released on bail," Rodriquez Esquivel, a prosecutor who specializes in intellectual property crimes told reporters from La Prensa. "All of the 68 subjects were arrested and sentenced to spend from one to four years in prison."

Police made 104 raids last year and dismantled five clandestine laboratories in San Miguelito, Arraiján, La Chorrera, Colón and Chiriquí. All of those laboratories contained illegal software for the reproduction of DVDs and CDs. Around 43,000 illegal music CDs and 45,000 illegal movies were seized by police as well. Authorities from the Delitos Contra la Propiedad Intelectual said fake perfumes were also found in the labs, along with counterfeit clothing, footwear and pharmaceuticals.