1 MIN AGO: FBI & ICE STORM MINNEAPOLIS — 9,700 POUNDS OF DRUGS, $69M IN ALLEGED BRIBES & VISA FRAUD SCHEME EXPOSED! 

In a high-stakes, multi-agency operation, the FBI and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) have launched a sweeping crackdown in Minneapolis, uncovering what authorities describe as a massive and complex criminal network. The operation has led to the seizure of 9,700 pounds of narcotics, the discovery of $69 million in suspected bribe payments, and the exposure of an elaborate visa fraud scheme operating through shell businesses and falsified immigration documents.

The Scope of the Operation: Raids and Seizures

Federal agents executed coordinated raids across multiple properties in Minneapolis, targeting locations tied to the illicit operation. Investigators found 9,700 pounds of narcotics, including cocaine and fentanyl, stashed across various warehouses and storage units. Alongside this, agents uncovered $69 million in bribe payments, which were allegedly funneled through offshore accounts and hidden financial channels to avoid detection.

The investigation also revealed an intricate visa fraud scheme that exploited loopholes in the immigration system. Authorities believe that the fraudulent network enabled thousands of illegal immigrants to secure work permits and permanent residency by falsifying documents and manipulating immigration processes.

Key Investigation Tools: Digital Records & Offshore Transfers

The case was unravelled thanks to months of intelligence gathering, digital record analysis, and the use of confidential informants. Digital evidence and financial tracing were instrumental in uncovering the hidden offshore transfers that facilitated the operation. Investigators are now focusing on the full scale of the network and its potential international connections.

The Network: How Long Was This Under the Radar?

Federal agents are still piecing together how long the operation had been running undetected. Given the scale of the narcotics distribution and the complexity of the visa fraud scheme, officials suspect that the criminal enterprise had been operating under the radar for years.

The involvement of shell businesses and falsified records suggests that the network was deeply embedded in legitimate industries, making it difficult for authorities to trace. Now that the operation has been exposed, questions remain about how many more individuals or businesses could be linked to the scheme.

What’s Next? High-Profile Arrests & Future Developments

As the investigation expands, federal authorities are continuing to track the flow of illicit funds and drugs, with more arrests expected in the coming days. Given the large sums of money involved and the international ties hinted at in the case, experts suggest that high-profile arrests could follow, potentially including foreign nationals or government officials involved in facilitating the scheme.