Secret Service Dismantles Massive Telecom Threat Near UN Meetings

English , Snippets , / Tuesday, September 23rd, 2025

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NEW YORK, Sept. 23 – The U.S. Secret Service announced it has dismantled a sprawling telecommunications network in the New York tri-state area that posed a significant risk to city infrastructure and the ongoing United Nations General Assembly.
In what officials described as the largest seizure of its kind, agents uncovered more than 300 SIM servers and over 100,000 SIM cards operating from multiple abandoned buildings. Investigators said the system could send 30 million text messages per minute, disable cellular towers, and disrupt emergency communications, including police and EMS dispatch.
“This network had the potential to shut down the cellular system in New York City,” said Matt McCool, Special Agent in Charge. Officials also noted that, at its peak capacity, the network could text the entire country in just 12 minutes.
The probe began after telephonic threats against senior U.S. officials earlier this year. While no names were released, investigators confirmed that individuals under Secret Service protection were among the targets. Early forensic analysis revealed links to foreign governments, organized crime groups, drug cartels, and human trafficking networks.
Alongside the telecom equipment, authorities also seized illegal firearms, narcotics, and computer systems. The sites were all located within 35 miles of the United Nations headquarters.
The operation was carried out by the Secret Service’s new Advanced Threat Interdiction Unit, working closely with Homeland Security Investigations, the Department of Justice, and local law enforcement. Officials stressed that the dismantled devices no longer pose a threat to New York or the UN meetings.
No arrests have yet been made, though investigators signaled that charges may follow as the probe continues. Authorities cautioned that similar networks may exist elsewhere in the country.