Two homes belonging to rapper Sean “Diddy” Combs were raided by Homeland Security on Monday, reportedly in connection with an ongoing sex trafficking investigation.
Photos show federal agents and police searching the music mogul’s properties in Los Angeles and Miami.
Armed federal officers entered the 54-year-old’s lavish Holmby Hills mansion in Los Angeles’ Westside.
At least two people were detained during the search of the 17,000-foot property, though it is understood they were not arrested, with law enforcement surrounding the residence with vehicles and police tape.
It was a similar scene at Combs’ Star Island compound, where Miami Beach police were seen going in and out of the property.
Officials were seen leaving with paper bags and boxes, while laptops and phones were also reportedly seized.
In a statement, the Department of Homeland Security said the raids were in relation to an “ongoing investigation” in New York.
The searches were conducted with assistance from HSI Los Angeles, HSI Miami, and local law enforcement.
Sean Combs’ attorney, Aaron Dyer, told Newsweek: “Yesterday, there was a gross overuse of military-level force as search warrants were executed at Mr. Combs’ residences.
There is no excuse for the excessive show of force and hostility exhibited by authorities or the way his children and employees were treated.”
“Mr. Combs was never detained but spoke to and cooperated with authorities. Despite media speculation, neither Mr. Combs nor any of his family members have been arrested nor has their ability to travel been restricted in any way,” Dyer continued.
“This unprecedented ambush—paired with an advanced, coordinated media presence—leads to a premature rush to judgment of Mr. Combs and is nothing more than a witch hunt based on meritless accusations made in civil lawsuits.
“There has been no finding of criminal or civil liability with any of these allegations. Mr. Combs is innocent and will continue to fight every single day to clear his name.”
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Combs was spotted at Miami-Opa Locka Executive Airport following the raids, where the record producer was reportedly stopped by federal agents.
He was supposedly on his private jet while the searches took place, according to TMZ.
Combs has recently been hit with a slew of sexual assault lawsuits. He has denied all allegations.
In November, the rapper’s ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura accused him of rape and physical abuse during their relationship.
Combs denied the claims, with the case settled the same day.
At the time, Combs’ lawyer Ben Brafman told Newsweek: “Mr. Combs vehemently denies these offensive and outrageous allegations.
“For the past six months, Mr. Combs has been subjected to Ms. Ventura’s persistent demand of $30 million, under the threat of writing a damaging book about their relationship, which was unequivocally rejected as blatant blackmail.”
Later that month, Joi Dickerson-Neal accused Combs of drugging and sexually assaulting her in 1991, along with taping the attack and showing the footage to others as “revenge porn.”
More women filed cases against the Bad Boy Records founder in November and December, while producer Rodney Jones sued Combs in February this year, alleging that the rapper drugged him and forced him to perform sexual acts with sex workers.
It is not known if these cases are linked to the raids.
Combs denied allegations in a statement shared to X, formerly Twitter, in December.
“Enough is Enough,” the rapper said. “For the last couple weeks, I have sat silently and watched people try to assassinate my character, destroy my reputation and my legacy. Sickening allegations have been made against me by individuals looking for a quick .”
He continued: “Let me be absolutely clear: I did not do any of the awful things being alleged. I will fight for my name, my family and for the truth.”
Update 03/27/24, 03:27 a.m. ET: This article has been updated to include a statement from Sean Combs’ lawyer from Aaron Dyer.