The United States Secret Service revealed on Tuesday that it successfully dismantled an advanced network of electronic devices designed to potentially disrupt New York’s telecommunications infrastructure just before the United Nations General Assembly convened.
Although the agency did not disclose the identities of those involved, it attributed the operation to “nation-state actors” and individuals already under federal investigation.
Sources familiar with the case, as reported by ABC News, indicated that authorities suspect a connection to the Chinese government.
Secret Service Director Sean Curran emphasized the gravity of the threat, stating, “The risk posed by this network to our nation’s telecommunications cannot be underestimated.”
This disclosure was made shortly before President Donald Trump delivered his speech to global leaders at the UN headquarters in New York City.
The Secret Service explained that the devices were discovered following a series of anonymous phone threats targeting high-ranking U.S. officials.
“Beyond issuing anonymous threats, these devices had the capability to execute a variety of telecommunications attacks,” the agency detailed.
“Such attacks could include disabling cellular towers, launching denial-of-service assaults, and enabling covert, encrypted communications between potential threat actors and criminal organizations.”
Special Agent Matt McCool noted that the investigation is ongoing, with efforts focused on identifying the perpetrators and understanding their motives, including whether the scheme aimed to interfere with the UN General Assembly.
“No arrests have been made at this time,” he confirmed.
The inquiry began in the spring, initially targeting the source of “fraudulent calls” directed at senior U.S. officials.
The confiscated equipment was distributed across several locations within a 35-mile radius of the UN, comprising 300 computer servers and approximately 100,000 SIM cards.
Officials expressed heightened concern due to the strategic placement and timing of these devices, which suggested the potential for widespread disruption.
“Preliminary analysis points to cellular communications involving nation-state threat actors and individuals already known to federal law enforcement,” the agency added.
Additionally, the New York Times reported that early data extracted from the SIM cards linked the network to “at least one foreign government” and members of drug trafficking organizations.
The report also mentioned the seizure of 80 grams of cocaine and illegal firearms at some of the sites involved in the investigation.
