US Customs authorities launched on Wednesday a sweeping crackdown on the sale and distribution of modification chips and electronic devices that lets users play pirated video games.<\/p>\n
Federal agents executed 32 search warrants in 16 states including California, Florida, Hawaii and New York.<\/p>\n
"This investigation represents the largest national enforcement action of its kind targeting this type of illegal activity," a statement from the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) read.<\/p>\n
The banned chips and devices "let users play illegally obtained, pirated and\/or counterfeit software on video game consoles including Sony's Playstation 2, Microsoft's XBOX and XBOX 360, and Nintendo's Wii."<\/p>\n
The targets were "subjects who are allegedly involved in the direct importation, installation, sale, and distribution of the devices that are of foreign manufacture and smuggled into the United States," the statement read.<\/p>\n
According to the US Chamber of Commerce, counterfeiting and piracy costs the US economy between 200 billion and 250 billion a year.<\/p>\n