During an “interagency operation” this week, authorities in New York City, who are attempting to clean up the troublesome federal prison where Sean “Diddy” Combs is being imprisoned, confiscated narcotics, handmade firearms and computers.
The Bureau of Prisons announced on Friday that during an “interagency operation” this week, inmates at the problematic federal prison in New York City where Sean “Diddy” Combs is being detained were searched and found with narcotics, handmade weapons, and technological gadgets.
On Monday, a multi-agency sweep began at Brooklyn’s Metropolitan Detention Center and resulted in the seizure of the illicit goods. Participating in the operation that lasted the whole week were law enforcement officials from all levels of government, including the Bureau of Prisons and the inspector general of the Justice Department.
The action by the police was “preplanned and coordinated to ensure the safety and security” of the facility’s employees and prisoners, according to the agency. It wasn’t in reaction to any specific danger or intelligence, but rather as part of a “broader safety and security initiative.”
The arrest of Combs, which has sparked widespread curiosity in the prison, has nothing to do with the search. So far, the sweep has not resulted in any criminal charges.
In their ongoing efforts to secure Combs’ release on bond before his sex trafficking trial in May, his attorneys have brought attention to several atrocities committed within the prison, such as terrible living conditions, widespread violence, and several fatalities.
The arrest of the hip-hop mogul and many recent crimes linked to MDC Brooklyn have put the prison system under intense scrutiny. Consequently, the Justice Department and the Bureau of Prisons are striving to tackle these issues and hold those accountable.
Federal prosecutors indicted nine convicts in September for a series of assaults that took place at the Metropolitan Detention Center, the sole federal prison in New York City, between April and August. Following the fatal stabbing of two inmates and the spearing of another in the spine with a homemade icepick, the prison faced significant safety and security concerns. They further accused a corrections officer of firing shots at a vehicle while engaging in an unlawful pursuit at high speeds.
The murder of a 28-year-old woman outside a nightclub in New York City last December was the result of a murder-for-hire scheme, which a prisoner was charged with in October. While awaiting punishment for orchestrating a separate shooting years ago, the convict allegedly used a smuggled smartphone to plan the scheme from behind bars.
Combs and Sam Bankman-Fried, creators of the defunct FTX cryptocurrency exchange, are among the approximately 1,200 inmates housed in the facility, and the criminal charges provided insight into the instability and violence that have afflicted it. The number of inmates has decreased from over 1,600 in January.
Located in a business district on the waterfront in Brooklyn, the facility mostly houses individuals held after their arrest as they await trial in either the Manhattan or Brooklyn federal courts. The facility also houses inmates serving shorter terms due to convictions.
Inmates at the Brooklyn facility have long griped about the brutality, horrible living conditions, chronic lack of personnel, and the rampant drug and contraband smuggling that occurs there, with some staff members even helping to support this crime. They further claim that they have been unable to leave their cells for anything, including visits, phone calls, showers, or exercise, due to the many lockdowns that have taken place.
Combs is now requesting release from the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals after twice having his bail denied. On November 4th, arguments will take place.
During a hearing on October 10th, Combs’s attorney Mark Agnifilo stated, “We’re making a go of the MDC.” Agnifilo had earlier attempted to have Combs transferred to a New Jersey prison. We have found the MDC to be really responsive.
Following the hearing, Anthony Ricco, another attorney for Combs, told reporters outside the courthouse, “He’s doing fine.” This is a challenging situation. He’s trying to make the most of what he has.
However, Ricco clarified, “Nobody’s OK with staying in jail for now.”
