Has P Diddy Fled the US? What We Know

Sean "Diddy" Combs, 54, could be facing a new set of legal woes after Homeland Security raided his homes, but some say he has fled the country.

The Context

The hip hop mogul's homes in Miami and Los Angeles were raided just weeks after he was accused of sexual misconduct and alleged trafficking. But some tracking his private jet claimed it landed on the Caribbean island of Antigua after Combs was questioned by customs officials at Miami Airport on Monday evening, per TMZ.

Main image, Sean "Diddy" Combs attends the 2022 Billboard Music Awards at MGM Grand Garden Arena on May 15, 2022 in Las Vegas. Inset, Homeland Security Investigation agents are seen at the entrance of Combs'... Bryan Steffy/WireImage; GIORGIO VIERA/AFP via Getty Images What We Know

Law enforcement officers raided Combs' mansion in the exclusive L.A. suburb of Homby Hills, which is also home to the Playboy Mansion. While Homeland Security did not confirm the reason for the raids, the Associated Press reported that two officials said it was part of an alleged sex trafficking investigation.

Newsweek contacted Homeland Security and Combs' representatives by email for comment.

Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) said in a statement to media that it had "executed law enforcement actions as part of an ongoing investigation, with assistance from HSI Los Angeles, HSI Miami, and our local law enforcement partners."

Combs was not spotted during the raids but was later seen at Miami Airport at about 6 p.m. in a video posted by celebrity news website, TMZ.

It showed him pacing around in a car park and some flight tracking experts later claimed his private jet was recorded flying to Antigua and Barbuda, but it is not know whether the music producer was on board or not.

Serial celebrity private flight tracking expert, Jack Sweeney, posted the Gulfstream's supposed route from northern California, stopping in Los Angeles and then landing in Antigua at 10:21 p.m. ET, which is also the same time on the island.

Sweeney posted the image to X, formerly Twitter, and claimed sources said Combs was not on board the flight.

"Diddy's jet N1969C flew to the Caribbean island of Antigua amid the trafficking investigation of him, but various sources confirmed that the rapper was not on board," he captioned the post.

Video captured by FOX11 news crews showed how armed federal agents arrived at one of the properties by boat and also appeared to show Combs' sons, Justin, 30, and King Combs, 25, in handcuffs near the home. It is understood the two men were not under arrest but were being detained outside as agents searched the property.

The Southern District of New York issued the investigation into Diddy and Newsweek contacted it by email for comment.

Views

Singer Cassie, also known as Casandra Ventura, who dated Combs and last year sued him accusing him of abuse, rape and sexual misconduct, spoke out about Monday's raids through her lawyer.

"Hopefully, this is the beginning of a process that will hold Mr Combs responsible for his depraved conduct," attorney Douglas Wigdor said in a statement per the BBC.

Combs settled the lawsuit within days of Cassie filing it and was later sued by two other women accusing him of sexual abuse. He denied any wrongdoing.

Just weeks before Monday's raids, Combs was slapped with another lawsuit accusing him of trafficking and sexual misconduct.

Music producer Rodney "Lil Rod" Jones said in the lawsuit that he was allegedly sexually harassed, drugged and threatened by Combs while working on the rapper's album, The Love Album: Off the Grid and is seeking $30 million in damages.

Combs' attorney Shawn Holley denied the allegation and previously told Newsweek that "we have overwhelming, indisputable proof that his claims are complete lies."

What's Next?

Homeland Security Investigations said it will release more information as it becomes available.

If you or someone you know has been the victim of sexual assault, please call the RAINN national helpline for support: 800.656.HOPE (4673).

Update 03/26/24, 5:00 a.m. ET: This article was updated to include additional information.

Update 3/26/24 9:16 a.m. ET: This story was updated with details of the RAINN helpline.