Six Chinese nationals who were arrested on February 1 in Hackney, East London, on charges of film piracy and breach of copyright have since been identified as being in the UK illegally and served deportation notices.

The two men and four women, who all pleaded guilty to charges related to selling counterfeit DVDs, have been remanded in custody until February 9, the date they are scheduled for deportation.

Their arrests are the latest in an ongoing operation between Hackney Borough police, the Federation Against Copyright Theft (FACT), the local council and the Immigration Service, which targets illegal DVD sellers in the area. Over a thousand pirate DVDs were seized in the raid.

A fifth woman, who was also arrested on February 1, has been bailed to appear in court in March.

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