Australian police have carried out piracy raids nationwide as it launches the largest coordinated attack on blackmarket operators in the country's history. On Tuesday morning, twenty-one homes and businesses in Adelaide, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney were searched.

Thousands of pirated goods were seized, including

Pirated goods worth tens of thousands of dollars were seized. This included music CDs, DVDs, Microsoft software and counterfeit designer jewellery.

"What people do not understand in relation to counterfeit products is that people do get harmed in relation to those activities," said Stephan Obers, acting manager of Crime Operations Stephan for the Australian Federal Police (AFP). Police have focused on 15 suspects. The list includes major producers and wholesalers of pirated goods. Obers said that some of the suspects had been previously fined for piracy.

The AFP has been working together with customs and border security as well as a number of industry groups. Obers adds that the operation was the largest raid over violations of coordinated intellectual property in Australian history. The raid was carried out in time for what he said was "a National day of action" against piracy.

Obers said that police are expected to charge people in the future.