Secret Service dismantles massive telecommunications network threatening Trump, U.N. officials in NY

The U.S. Secret Service disabled a large telecommunications network in the New York tri-state area this week that posed a major threat to President Trump and other senior U.S. officials who are attending the U.N. General Assembly meetings in New York City, the agency said Tuesday. Here’s what you need to know about the telecommunications threat and investigation:

The network discovery

Secret Service uncovers massive communications operation:

• Secret Service investigation uncovered 300 SIM servers and 100,000 SIM cards across five sites, according to Secret Service press release
• According to investigators, these sites could have been used to send anonymous threatening text messages, disable cell towers and facilitate encrypted communications between criminal actors
• Telecommunication sites were located within 35 miles of U.N. building in New York City, where global leaders are meeting this week for annual General Assembly
• Secret Service official told reporters this week that telecommunications network could have sent text messages to entire country “within 12 minutes”

The threat assessment

Agency describes potential for major disruption:

• “The potential for disruption to our country’s telecommunications posed by this network of devices cannot be overstated,” Secret Service Director Sean Curran wrote
• “The U.S. Secret Service’s protective mission is all about prevention, and this investigation makes it clear to potential bad actors that imminent threats to our protectees will be immediately investigated, tracked down and dismantled”
• Secret Service official described it as extremely well-funded operation
• Network had capability to disrupt entire U.S. telecommunications system

The investigation timeline

Law enforcement dismantled network over three weeks:

• Secret Service officials said emerging telephonic threats to U.S. officials in spring prompted investigation
• Law enforcement dismantled network over past three weeks
• Trump expected to speak on Tuesday morning, and several high-profile U.S. officials will be attending this week
• “The timing, the location, the proximity of this network had the potential to impact the U.N. and that was clear and something that we had to consider,” Secret Service Special Agent in Charge Matt McCool said

The criminal connections

Network linked to foreign governments and criminal organizations:

• Secret Service officials reported that network’s SIM cards were used for communications between foreign governments and parties already known to U.S. law enforcement
• Including members of drug cartels and human trafficking organizations
• Investigators also found miscellaneous cellphones and computers, along with various firearms and 80 grams of cocaine at sites
• Secret Service officials implied that early analysis has uncovered which U.S. officials were targeted by network but declined to reveal their names, citing privacy concerns

The ongoing investigation

Authorities continue analyzing seized materials:

• Investigators said they are still combing through troves of SIM card data
• Investigation into telecommunications network is ongoing, Secret Service officials said
• Newly established “Advanced Threat Interdiction Unit” of U.S. Secret Service and Homeland Security Investigations leading the way
• Full scope of network capabilities and targets still being determined

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• Secret Service dismantles telecommunications network threatening Trump, U.N. officials