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The character of the investigation has not been disclosed, however the raid follows allegations of sexual crimes, together with trafficking, made by a former girlfriend.
United States federal brokers have raided two properties belonging to hip-hop star Sean “Diddy” Combs.
Division of Homeland Safety officers confirmed on Monday that they’d searched the music mogul's properties in Los Angeles and Miami.
The investigation is being led by Homeland Safety Investigations (HSI) brokers in New York, the place final yr a former girlfriend filed a lawsuit towards Combs, accusing him of intercourse trafficking.
In a press release launched to Reuters information company, HSI didn’t elaborate on the character of its investigation. Nonetheless, it has jurisdiction to research the illicit motion of individuals, items, cash, know-how and contraband, together with intercourse trafficking.
R&B singer Cassandra Ventura sued Combs in federal courtroom in Manhattan in November, accusing him of bodily abuse, sexual slavery and rape throughout a 10-year skilled and romantic relationship.
The lawsuit cited violations of intercourse trafficking and human trafficking legal guidelines beneath federal, New York state, and California legal guidelines.
Ventura and Combs – who has used aliases akin to P Diddy, Puff Daddy and Diddy – introduced the subsequent day that they’d settled the case beneath confidential phrases.
Combs, 54, has stated he’s harmless and that his accusers have been searching for a “fast payday.”
Ventura's courtroom motion opened the door to different lawsuits, with different plaintiffs making allegations of sexual assault and rape towards Combs.
In December, Combs dismissed the most recent civil criticism, which accused him of taking part within the gang rape of an adolescent whom he organized to fly from Detroit to New York 20 years in the past.
Tv stations in Los Angeles confirmed aerial video footage displaying HSI brokers and different regulation enforcement officers raiding Combs' property in Holmby Hills, a fancy space of the town.
Los Angeles Metropolis Information Service reported that a number of individuals have been detained outdoors the house, however it was not clear whether or not any arrests have been made.
Federal authorities additionally executed a search warrant on the rap mogul's Miami-area house, native information retailers reported.
The footage reveals officers going out and in of his property on Star Island in Miami Seashore and brokers taking a field of supplies from the house.
Combs' whereabouts have been unknown through the raid.