San Rafael, CA – On Thursday, June 25, 2026, SRPD participated in a multi-agency human trafficking operation.  As a result of the operation, Conrado Castro Hernandez, a 31-year-old San Leandro resident, was arrested, and two adult female victims of human trafficking were rescued and provided resources.  

As the San Francisco Bay Area hosts matches during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, law enforcement agencies throughout Northern California are working together to proactively combat human trafficking and the exploitation that often accompanies large-scale international events. Major sporting events attract thousands of visitors, which can increase the demand for commercial sex work and create opportunities for traffickers to exploit vulnerable individuals. Through a coordinated regional effort led by the Northern California Regional Intelligence Center (NCRIC) and the Santa Clara County Human Trafficking Task Force, the San Rafael Police Department and its regional law enforcement partners have conducted enforcement operations focused on identifying and assisting victims of human trafficking while also targeting individuals who seek to purchase commercial sex.

Using a victim-centered, trauma-informed approach, SRPD worked alongside the Marin County District Attorney's Office Victim/Witness Unit, Community Violence Solutions, and Marin County Children and Family Services to ensure victims are immediately connected with advocacy, shelter, counseling, and other critical support services. At the same time, investigators focused on identifying and holding traffickers, exploiters, and sex buyers accountable for their roles in the commercial sexual exploitation of others. By combining victim recovery with proactive enforcement and demand reduction strategies, this collaborative effort seeks to disrupt human trafficking networks, prevent future victimization, and enhance the safety and well-being of the San Rafael community.

On Thursday evening and into the night hours, SRPD, along with Novato Police, Central Marin Police Authority, Marin County Sheriff’s Office, and our previously mentioned partners, conducted the human trafficking operation in San Rafael, with the primary objective of this coordinated effort to identify, recover, and support victims of human trafficking, with a particular emphasis on protecting exploited children and other vulnerable individuals.

During the operation, Conrado communicated with undercover detectives posing as a 15-year-old minor, and he agreed to meet with the minor at a local San Rafael hotel.  Conrado arrived at the meeting point and was met by police officers and arrested.  Conrado was booked into the Marin County Jail on felony charges, which included arranging to meet with a minor and contacting a minor with the intent to solicit or have sex.

The two female adult victims of human trafficking also spoke to detectives who were posing as commercial sex buyers.  The victims agreed to meet and were then contacted by detectives, who intervened and provided resources.

Human trafficking remains a serious crime that affects communities throughout the region, including San Rafael, where traffickers have historically exploited areas known for commercial sex activity. Many individuals engaged in commercial sex are victims who have been manipulated, coerced, threatened, or subjected to violence by traffickers seeking financial gain. The San Rafael Police Department is committed to protecting victims, connecting them with support services, and holding traffickers and sex buyers accountable. By reducing the demand that fuels commercial sexual exploitation and recovering victims from dangerous situations, these coordinated enforcement efforts help disrupt human trafficking networks and strengthen the safety and well-being of our community.