GEORGE TOWN: The authorities made another big seizure of optical discs and DVD burning devices in an apartment in Relau here - this time worth RM3mil (S$1.246 mil).

The seizure is the second biggest this year following the netting of DVDs and equipment worth RM10mil at a shoplot in Lebuh Macallum more than a week ago.

Penang Domestic Trade, Coope-rative and Consumerism Ministry enforcement chief M. Gunaselan said three workers were also caught red-handed in the joint operation with the state Commercial Crimes Department at 11am yesterday.

It is learnt that the syndicate has been operating round-the-clock for at least three months and has raked in an estimated RM1.38mil, producing 2.14 million DVDs.

Gunaselan said the three locals, aged 41 to 43, were busy burning the DVDs and packing them when the officers raided the premises.

"They had burned about 30,000 optical discs at the time with another 1,500 empty discs still waiting to be processed," he said, adding that the DVDs are sold for about RM10 each.

Gunaselan said the syndicate distributed between 15,000 and 20,000 DVDs mainly on Penang island and northern parts of Malaysia.

The windows at the apartment were covered with black filter papers to prevent outsiders from peeping in.

There were three rooms in the apartment - a DVD burning room, packing room and a sorting room where the discs were categorised according to the movie titles.

It is believed that the DVD covers were printed elsewhere and sent to the "mini factory" for packaging as the officers did not find any printing machines at the premises.

Also present was Penang Commer-cial Crime Investigations Department chief Asst Comm Roslee Chik.