A FAMILY used slave labour to produce fake DVDs in the largest illegal operation of its kind uncovered in western Europe.

Houses throughout Waltham Forest were turned into factories where illegal Chinese immigrants worked around the clock to supply street sellers with films.

The operation was masterminded by Sami Ashgar-Sheik with the help of his brother Rafi and father Khalid.

With money from their father, the brothers set up Samrana Ltd, a business selling blank DVDs and CD storage.

The company became the front for the counterfeiting operation and Sami set up a number of factories capable of producing hundreds of thousands of illicit DVDs.

The workforce was organised by gangmaster Chinese national Xin Li, who had paid £20,000 to enter the UK illegally.

The family were placed under surveillance when a parcel containing DVD master copies was intercepted by customs.

The conspiracy began to unravel when police discovered a large DVD factory on the Kimberley Industrial Estate, in Cheney Row, Walthamstsow.

Officers discovered £106,000 in cash during a raid on the Ashgar-Sheik brother’s house in Larkshall Road, Chingford, and a further £24,000 at Li’s house in Victoria Road, Walthamstow.

Equipment was also seized at premises in Leyton and Walthamstow.

Sami, Rafi and Khalid were all found guilty of money laundering on Wednesday, June 8.

Sami was also convicted of conspiring to produce pirate DVDs.

Xin Li, also known as Jerry Li, 34, of Victoria Road, Walthamstow, was found guilty of concealing the proceeds of crime.

The men are due to be sentenced on July 28.