Federal investigators conducted simultaneous raids on Monday at the Los Angeles and Miami homes of music mogul Sean Combs. The Department of Homeland Security, acting on a warrant reportedly issued by the Department of Justice – Southern District of New York, led the operations. The raids were part of an ongoing federal sex trafficking investigation, although Combs has not been officially named as the target.
The investigation stems from a series of civil lawsuits filed against Combs, including a bombshell sexual abuse lawsuit by his ex-girlfriend Cassie. She accused Combs of physical abuse, rape, and involvement in drug-fueled group sex. While Combs denied any wrongdoing and reached a private settlement with Cassie, several other individuals subsequently filed similar sex abuse and harassment suits against him and other executives at Bad Boy Entertainment.
The raids, which involved helicopters and uniformed officials, resulted in the seizure of multiple large boxes. It remains unclear what specific evidence investigators were searching for, but experts suggest they may be looking for laptops, flash drives, and other items that could support the allegations. Combs’ phones were reportedly seized during the Miami raid.
During the raids, Combs’ adult sons, Justin and King, were briefly detained at his Holmby Hills mansion but later released. Additionally, Brendan Paul, identified as a drug “mule” in one of the lawsuits against Combs, was arrested at Miami-Opa Locka Airport on charges of possessing cocaine and marijuana. It is unclear if Paul’s arrest is directly connected to the wider investigation.
Following the raids, Combs was spotted at Miami-Opa Locka airport, reportedly preparing to board a private flight to the Bahamas. His current whereabouts are unknown, although his private jet, LoveAir, was tracked to Antigua and Barbuda. Combs has not publicly addressed the raids, and requests for comment from his representatives have gone unanswered.
The next steps for the investigation remain uncertain. If federal charges are warranted, prosecutors will serve Combs with an indictment. However, the timing of such charges is unpredictable, as seen in previous high-profile cases. Federal investigators have been speaking with potential witnesses for several months, indicating that they have been building a case. The authorities may need to obtain additional warrants to search the seized items thoroughly.
As the investigation unfolds, the mounting pile of civil lawsuits against Combs, including allegations involving minors, sex trafficking, and drugs, suggests a potentially significant legal challenge for the once-celebrated music mogul. The involvement of the Department of Homeland Security indicates a potential international element related to the movement of people or items across borders.
