Secret Service Dismantles Shadow Telecom Network Near UN Amid General Assembly
NEW YORK – The U.S. Secret Service has dismantled a refined, illegally-operated telecommunications network discovered within 35 miles of the United Nations headquarters in New York City, just prior to the U.N. general Assembly. The network,utilizing SIM cards,was allegedly used for communication between foreign governments and individuals known to U.S. federal law enforcement, officials revealed.
The discovery, made by the Secret Service’s newly formed “Advanced Threat Interdiction Unit” in conjunction with Homeland Security Investigations, included 80 grams of cocaine, illegal firearms, computers, and phones. Investigators believe the network was “well organized and well funded,” and posed a potential threat to the U.N. General Assembly.
“The timing, the location, the proximity of this network had the potential to impact the U.N. and that was clear and something that we had to consider,” said Secret Service official McCool.
While authorities have confirmed the devices no longer pose a threat and there is “currently no credible threat against the UN,” officials cautioned that other similar networks may exist within the U.S. “It would be unwise to assume” this was an isolated incident, one official stated.
The inquiry is ongoing, with no arrests made to date, though officials indicated arrests are possible. homeland Security Investigations is leading the criminal investigation into those coordinating the scheme, while the Secret Service is focusing on potential threats to its protectees.
The Secret Service acknowledged the assistance of the Department of Justice, the office of the Director of national Intelligence, and the NYPD, along with other state and local law enforcement partners, in dismantling the network.
The Advanced Threat Interdiction Unit was established by Secret Service Director Sean Curran to proactively address emerging security threats.
