Crime syndicates may be behind Malaysia's rampant goods piracy as they could afford hi-tech copying equipment that costs millions of dollars, a senior official said today.

Such syndicates are already behind piracy in Hong Kong, Taiwan and Macau, Roslan Mayudin, director of the special anti-piracy enforcement squad within the domestic trade ministry, told AFP .

"So far there is no evidence to show criminal groups are involved in Malaysia. But they may have a hand since production of illegal VCDs and DVDs require copy machines that are worth some RM2.5 million each," he said.

In September Malaysia launched a month-long blitz to smash trade piracy by conducting surprise raids on factories, companies and peddlers, in a bid to comply with World Trade Organisation (WTO) regulations.

Hundreds of officers were deployed nationwide in the campaign code-named "Operation Genuine" and which began on Sept 2.