Najib Arab

In May 2024, South Wales Police tracked a teenage girl reported missing from Merthyr Tydfil to an address in Roath, Cardiff, where Najib Arab resided. The investigation revealed that Arab had been grooming the vulnerable girl, initially offering her free drugs to gain her trust before coercing her into engaging in criminal activity. This exploitation left the young person in a state of slavery or servitude, highlighting the severe impact of such predatory behaviour on vulnerable individuals.

The Cardiff and Vale Exploitation Investigation Team took on the case, facing significant challenges due to the girl's vulnerabilities. Through persistent efforts, the team developed a strong rapport with her, collaborated closely with the Crown Prosecution Service, and built a robust evidential case. Arab was subsequently charged with holding a person in slavery or servitude and possession with intent to supply class B drugs. Following a conviction, he was jailed for seven years, delivering justice for the victim and underscoring the police's commitment to tackling exploitation.

During the investigation, the team also identified other young people who had been exploited by Arab, prompting immediate safeguarding measures to protect them from further harm. This case was recognised at the Team SWP Awards 2025 in the Investigation of the Year category, sponsored by Niche, for the team's exemplary work in safeguarding vulnerable youth and disrupting exploitative networks. The award ceremony, held in Swansea on 23 October 2025, celebrated the courage and dedication of the officers involved, as reported by South Wales Police.

Key Quote: 'This was a challenging case due to the vulnerabilities of the young person but through the investigation team developing a rapport with her, working closely with the Crown Prosecution Service, and building a strong case, Arab was charged... He was convicted and jailed for seven years,' from the South Wales Police awards announcement.