U.S. Secret Service investigators say they have dismantled a clandestine telecom network capable of crippling New York’s cellular infrastructure just as the UN General Assembly opens in Manhattan. The operation uncovered more than 300 SIM servers and over 100,000 SIM cards positioned within about 35 miles of the UN, a stockpile officials warn could jam towers, launch denial-of-service attacks, and shield encrypted communications among foreign actors and criminal partners.

Devices Seized Across the UN Perimeter

Investigators located the devices at multiple sites inside a 56-kilometre (35-mile) radius of UN headquarters, according to a statement released as world leaders convened for the high-level debate. Images provided by the agency show stacks of SIM cards wired into telecom gear, part of what officials describe as a sophisticated “SIM farm.” The timing—hours before a major address at UNGA—prompted an accelerated disruption to remove the equipment from service.

Potential to Cripple Cell Service Citywide

Authorities say the network had the capacity to disable cell towers and enable denial-of-service activity on a mass scale, threatening emergency communications and broader city infrastructure. One official brief noted the system could automate vast volumes of traffic—masking origins and flooding networks—to degrade service across the tri-state area. Investigators emphasized that the seized hardware was modular and expandable, suggesting it could be rapidly scaled if left in place.

Probe Points to Foreign Links

While the forensic work continues, early analysis “indicates cellular communications between nation-state threat actors and individuals that are known to federal law enforcement,” the Secret Service said. Officials are now combing through data equivalent to tens of thousands of phones to map operators, financial flows, and any coordination with organized crime. No arrests were immediately announced, and authorities have not publicly attributed the network to a specific country pending further evidence. “In addition to carrying out anonymous telephonic threats, these devices could be used to conduct a wide range of telecommunications attacks,” the agency said.

Security Posture Around UNGA80

The disruption forms part of an expanded security bubble around UNGA’s 80th session, where traffic restrictions, counter-drone measures, and cyber monitoring have intensified across Manhattan. Federal and local partners began the telecom probe months ago and moved to neutralize the threat as delegations arrived, officials said. The incident underscores ongoing concerns about hybrid operations targeting critical infrastructure during marquee diplomatic events in New York.