this network was used for communication between foreign governments and individuals that are known to federal law enforcement here in the U.S."
The equipment was found within 35 miles of the United Nations in New York, ahead of the U.N. General Assembly. Investigators also found 80 grams of cocaine, illegal firearms, plus computers and phones.
"This isn't a group of people in a basement playing a video game and trying to play a prank," one official said. "This was well organized and well funded."
"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," added McCool.
The investigation was launched by a new division within the U.S. Secret Service established by Director Sean Curran and dubbed the "Advanced Threat Interdiction Unit," in conjunction with Homeland Security Investigations.
"These devices no longer pose any threat to New York," an official said. "We've taken care of and dismantled that threat…There is currently no credible threat against the UN."
Still, another official added that "it would be unwise to assume" there aren't other such networks in the U.S.
The investigation remains ongoing, according to the U.S. Secret Service. There have been no arrests yet, but officials said, "there could be arrests down the road," adding that "from an operational perspective, we want those behind the network to know that the Secret Service is aware and that we're kind of coming for them."
Homeland Security Investigations is leading the criminal investigation into individuals involved in coordinating this large scheme, while the U.S. Secret Service is running down threats tied back to its protectees, according to multiple U.S. officials.
In a statement released by the U.S. Secret Service, the agency also thanked the Department of Justice, the Office of the Director of National Intelligence and the NYPD, as well as other state and local law enforcement partners, for providing technical advice and assistance.
CBS News
The equipment was found within 35 miles of the United Nations in New York, ahead of the U.N. General Assembly. Investigators also found 80 grams of cocaine, illegal firearms, plus computers and phones.
"This isn't a group of people in a basement playing a video game and trying to play a prank," one official said. "This was well organized and well funded."
"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," added McCool.
The investigation was launched by a new division within the U.S. Secret Service established by Director Sean Curran and dubbed the "Advanced Threat Interdiction Unit," in conjunction with Homeland Security Investigations.
"These devices no longer pose any threat to New York," an official said. "We've taken care of and dismantled that threat…There is currently no credible threat against the UN."
Still, another official added that "it would be unwise to assume" there aren't other such networks in the U.S.
The investigation remains ongoing, according to the U.S. Secret Service. There have been no arrests yet, but officials said, "there could be arrests down the road," adding that "from an operational perspective, we want those behind the network to know that the Secret Service is aware and that we're kind of coming for them."
Homeland Security Investigations is leading the criminal investigation into individuals involved in coordinating this large scheme, while the U.S. Secret Service is running down threats tied back to its protectees, according to multiple U.S. officials.
In a statement released by the U.S. Secret Service, the agency also thanked the Department of Justice, the Office of the Director of National Intelligence and the NYPD, as well as other state and local law enforcement partners, for providing technical advice and assistance.
CBS News
