Woman charged in connection with child sexual exploitation and trafficking probe
A 52-year-old woman has been charged with multiple offences as part of an ongoing investigation into child sexual exploitation and trafficking. Sarah Gray, of Llanasa Road, Gronant, Flintshire, has been charged with conspiracy to supply Class A and Class B drugs, assisting an offender, and perverting the course of justice.
She is due to appear at Mold Magistrates Court today (Friday, August 15). It follows an ongoing major investigation into child sexual exploitation and trafficking.
Four Denbighshire men were recently charged with a series of offences - including rape, sexual assault, and the supply of illegal drugs.
All four males will appear at Mold Crown Court on Friday, September 5. They are:
Mustafa Iqbal, 42, of Trellewelyn Road, Rhyl, who is charged with three counts of rape, three counts of sexual assault, three counts of inciting a child aged under 16 to engage in sexual activity, six offences under Section 1 and 2 of the Modern Slavery Act, conspiracy to supply Class A and Class B drugs, possession of a firearm, and breach of a Slavery and Trafficking Risk Order (STRO).
Mohammad Usman Arshad, 35, of Clifton Grove, Rhyl, who is charged with rape, four offences under Section 1 and 2 of the Modern Slavery Act, and the supply of Class B drugs.
Ziaullah Badsha, 24, of Brighton Road, Rhyl, who is charged with two counts of rape, four offences under Section 1 and 2 of the Modern Slavery Act, and the supply of Class B drugs.
Jaswinder Singh, 60, of River Street, Rhyl, who is charged with two offences under Section 2 of the Modern Slavery Act, and the supply of Class B drugs.
A 61-year-old man from London, also arrested as part of the investigation, has been released on bail pending further enquiries.
Operation Embank and Operation Zirconium are linked investigations that have been led by North Wales Police.
The investigations involve three teenage females, who made reports in relation to a series of alleged offences in Rhyl and the surrounding area between April 2022 and March 2024.
After the four men were charged, Detective Chief Inspector Rich Sidney, of North Wales Police, said: 'This has been a complex and long-running investigation. We have liaised with the Crown Prosecution Service throughout the process and this collaboration has resulted in authority to charge the suspects involved with multiple serious offences being provided.
'We would now ask for people to respect the judicial process and to avoid online speculation on this case. This is to ensure the integrity of the investigation and court proceedings.'
Specialist Prosecutor Louisa Robertson at the CPS previously said: 'The Crown Prosecution Service has authorised North Wales Police to charge four males and one female in respect of these two investigations.
'The Crown Prosecution Service reminds all concerned that criminal proceedings against each individual are now active and that they all have a right to a fair trial. It is extremely important that there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings.'
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