NEW YORK (Diya TV) — The U.S. Secret Service says it has dismantled a massive illegal telecom network near the United Nations that could have thrown New York City into chaos during one of its most sensitive security weeks.

Officials announced Tuesday that agents seized more than 300 SIM servers containing over 100,000 SIM cards. The network, spread across multiple sites within 35 miles of the UN headquarters, could have disrupted the city’s communications during the 80th UN General Assembly.

Matt McCool, the head of the Secret Service’s New York field office, described the potential impact. “It can take down cell towers. You can’t text message, you can’t use your cell phone,” he said. “And if you coupled that with some sort of other event associated with UNGA … it could be catastrophic to the city.”

Agents warned that the covert system could jam 911 calls, collapse cellular networks, and flood communication lines. Such a breakdown during the General Assembly would have crippled emergency services while world leaders gathered in Manhattan.

“It can’t be understated what this system is capable of doing,” McCool added. He emphasized that the scale of the operation made it one of the most dangerous telecom threats ever uncovered near the United Nations.

While investigators said no direct plot against the UN meeting was uncovered, forensic analysis of the seized servers raised new concerns. Officials believe the network may have been used to mask communications with drug cartels and terror organizations.

The network’s ability to hide traffic and disrupt local systems made it a powerful tool for organized crime. Agents are now working with federal partners to trace the source of the equipment and track possible ties to global groups.

Sean Curran, director of the U.S. Secret Service, said the discovery highlights the importance of the agency’s protective mission.

“The U.S. Secret Service’s protective mission is all about prevention,” Curran said. He warned that similar covert telecom networks may still be active in other regions and pose ongoing risks to U.S. infrastructure.

Curran noted that seizing the equipment before any disruption took place was critical to protecting both world leaders and the public. The 80th UN General Assembly drew hundreds of international leaders, diplomats, and security officials to New York. The week is considered one of the most complex security operations in the United States each year.

Authorities deploy thousands of law enforcement officers, restrict traffic in Midtown Manhattan, and set up extensive checkpoints to guard against potential threats. The discovery of the illegal telecom system added new urgency to those security measures.

Investigators continue to examine the seized servers and SIM cards to determine who operated the network and how it was financed. Officials did not disclose whether arrests had been made, but said the investigation remains active.

Experts say the case underscores the vulnerability of major cities to hidden technological threats. A single covert system, if left unchecked, could disrupt millions of residents, first responders, and critical infrastructure.

The Secret Service has urged other agencies to be on alert for similar telecom threats. Officials stressed that cyber and communication attacks can be just as dangerous as physical assaults during high-profile events.

Curran said the agency will continue to work with partners across law enforcement and intelligence communities to monitor for signs of hidden systems. For now, the swift action of investigators appears to have spared New York from a major communications disaster. Officials say the public should remain aware that technology-based threats are evolving and could emerge anywhere.

As McCool put it, prevention is the best defense. “We took this network down before it could hurt the city,” he said. “That is what matters most.”