Ledger photo / TARA JENNINGS Gaffney Police Chief John O'Donald and other city officers escort Jessie Porchea, 40, of 103 Downey Hawthorne Place, Gaffney, to a patrol car after finding thousands of counterfeit CDs and DVDs inside Unique Headquarters at 533 W. Frederick St., Gaffney. Thousands of counterfeit CDs and DVDs as well as shoes, sunglasses and apparel were seized by state and local officials Friday during a raid of four Gaffney businesses.

Gaffney Police Chief John O'Donald said his department met with representatives from the S.C. Secretary of State's office and investigators from Blazer Investigations, which represents approximately 80 businesses such as Nike and the NFL. Deputies with the Cherokee County Sheriff's Office also assisted in the operation.

O'Donald said some of the CDs and DVDs were not to be released until February, while some of the apparel is only sold in certain areas or at specific retail stores.

"I was really surprised at the amount located today," the chief said. "We will be looking at other locations. This is not under the radar."

Gaffney Police Department officer Dwayne Fowler and Detective Lt. David Clary load up boxes containing counterfeit DVDs and CDs seized at Unique Headquarters, 533 W. Frederick St., Gaffney. Some of the DVDs and CDs were not scheduled to be released until February, police said. Police raided Dee Tee's, 403 N. Limestone St.; Fashions Ltd., 511 N. Limestone St.; B. Dawk's Clothing, 310 N. Limestone St., Suite C; and Unique Headquarters, 533 W. Frederick St.

Nearly 8,000 CDs and 2,000 DVDs believed to be counterfeit were seized from Unique Headquarters, said Gaffney Detective Sgt. Ron Ramsey Jr.

Computers and CD burners were also seized.

Ramsey has charged Jessie Porchea, 40, of 103 Downey Hawthorne Place, Gaffney, with illegal distribution of recordings greater than 1,000 for the items located at Unique Headquarters.

Two pickup truck loads of fake Nike and Timberland shoes and various clothing were seized from B. Dawk's Clothing, Ramsey said. Owner Brian Dawkins, 38, of Union and formerly of Gaffney, has been charged with distribution of counterfeit marks greater than 10,000.

Numerous CDs and fake Oakley sunglasses were found at Dee Tee's, police said. Darren Mason, 25, of Boiling Springs has been charged with distribution of counterfeit marks greater than 2,000 and illegal distribution of recordings less than 1,000.

Pirated CDs and shoes were found at Fashions Ltd., Ramsey said. Owner Louis Smith, 57, of 131 Granite Drive, Gaffney, is charged with illegal distribution of recordings less than 1,000 and distribution of counterfeit marks greater than 2,000.

The potential penalties range from two to five years and fines of up to $250,000.