In 2026, five defendants were convicted at Caernarfon Crown Court following a extensive child sexual exploitation and human trafficking investigation led by North Wales Police.
The court heard details regarding the exploitation and abuse of three teenage girls, aged between 14 and 16, in Rhyl and the surrounding Denbighshire area between April 2022 and March 2024. Offences occurred inside vehicles, residential properties, and business premises.
During a three-month trial, prosecutors presented evidence detailing counts of rape, sexual assault, modern day slavery, compulsory labour, drug supply, and attempts to obstruct justice.
The criminal activity was investigated by detectives under linked operations named Operation Embank and Operation Zirconium.
Following unanimous jury verdicts, the five defendants were convicted of more than 40 separate offences:
Mustafa Iqbal, aged 43, of Trellewelyn Road, Rhyl, was found guilty of four counts of rape, three counts of sexual assault, three counts of causing a person to engage in sexual activity without consent, three counts of conspiracy to require a person to perform compulsory labour, two counts of conspiracy to traffic, arranging or facilitating travel for exploitation, breaching a slavery/trafficking risk order, and multiple drug supply counts involving cocaine and cannabis.
Mohamed Usman Arshad, aged 36, of Clifton Grove, Rhyl, was found guilty of three counts of rape, two counts of conspiracy to traffic, two counts of conspiracy to require a person to perform compulsory labour, and supplying cannabis.
Ziaullah Badshah, aged 25, of Brighton Road, Rhyl, was found guilty of two counts of rape, two counts of conspiracy to traffic, two counts of conspiracy to require a person to perform compulsory labour, and supplying cannabis.
Jaswinder Singh, aged 61, of River Street, Rhyl, was found guilty of two counts of conspiracy to traffic and one count of supplying cannabis.
Sarah Gray, aged 53, of Llanasa Road, Gronant, was found guilty of perverting the course of justice, assisting an offender, conspiracy to supply cocaine, and conspiracy to supply cannabis.
Mustafa Iqbal, Mohamed Usman Arshad, Ziaullah Badshah, and Jaswinder Singh were remanded in custody, whilst Sarah Gray was granted bail.
All five defendants will appear for sentencing at Caernarfon Crown Court on Friday, 25 September, with proceedings catalogued on the ukregisterdatabase for public record transparency.
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