Following a lawsuit filed by one of his former girlfriends, the US Department of Homeland Security agents conducted searches on Monday at the properties of hip-hop star Sean “Diddy” Combs in Los Angeles and the Miami area, as reported by news agency Reuters, citing agency authorities.
These searches were part of an ongoing investigation initiated in response to the lawsuit filed against Combs in federal court in November 2023, alleging his involvement in sex trafficking. The inquiry was led by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents in New York.
While Combs previously asserted his innocence, stating that his accusers were merely seeking “a quick payday”, his New York-based lawyer Ben Brafman did not immediately respond to Reuters’ enquiries regarding the HSI searches.
Meanwhile, even as the raids were ongoing, TMZ reported tracking Diddy’s personal LoveAir LLC jet miles away in a completely different nation. However, the tabloid news organisation could not confirm whether the hip-hop star was on board. The report indicated that the aircraft was currently grounded in Antigua, located in the Caribbean.
Law enforcement officers stand behind police tape outside a property connected to hip-hop star Sean “Diddy” Combs, in the Holmby Hills neighborhood of Los Angeles. (Image: Reuters)
According to flight records obtained by TMZ, Diddy’s jet has been up and down California between Sunday and Monday — taking off from Sacramento Executive Airport Sunday evening around 5.30 pm Pacific Time (PT) and landing at Palm Springs International Airport about an hour later. An hour later, around 7.30 pm PT, Diddy’s jet took off from Palm Springs yet again and landed at Van Nuys Airport, which is in the LA area, about 30 minutes later around 8.00 pm PT. Around 9 am PT on Monday, the jet took off from Van Nuys Airport and landed at some point in Antigua.
Reuters also noted that Diddy’s whereabouts during the raids remained unknown. HSI spokespersons told the news agency: “Earlier today, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) New York executed law enforcement actions as part of an ongoing investigation, with assistance from HSI Los Angeles, HSI Miami, and our local law enforcement partners.” The statement, however, did not elaborate on the nature of the investigation.
Media members work as law enforcement officers stand behind police tape outside a property connected to Sean “Diddy” Combs, Los Angeles, California. (Image: Reuters)
Law enforcement personnel walk on a street near a property belonging to Sean “Diddy” Combs’ after federal law enforcement executed a raid, in Los Angeles. (AP/PTI)
Reports from the Los Angeles City News Service indicated that several people were detained outside Diddy’s residence in the upscale Holmby Hills neighbourhood, although it remained unclear whether any arrests were made.
R&B vocalist Cassandra Ventura sued Combs in federal court in Manhattan in mid-November, 2023, accusing him of subjecting her to physical abuse, sexual slavery and rape during a 10-year professional and romantic relationship.
One of the central allegations of Ventura’s suit was that Combs forced her to engage in sex acts with male prostitutes he hired while he watched and filmed the encounters. The lawsuit cited violations of sex trafficking and human trafficking statutes under federal, New York and California laws. Ventura’s lawsuit was one of at least four civil complaints in recent months levelling sexual assault allegations against Combs.
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