Sean 'Diddy' Combs' homes in Los Angeles and Miami are searched by Homeland Security
Two properties belonging to rapper Sean "Diddy" Combs have been searched by US Homeland Security as part of an investigation into sex trafficking, according to reports.
The Department of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in New York said it had "executed law enforcement actions as part of an ongoing investigation" with assistance from HSI Los Angeles and HSI Miami.
Two properties were searched in Los Angeles and Miami as part of the probe, according to the AP news agency, while it was not clear whether the searches were related to several ongoing lawsuits filed against Combs in recent months.
Authorities did not specify the reasons for the raids or whether they were connected to Combs, however AP reported it was part of an ongoing sex trafficking investigation by federal authorities in New York.
Photographs showed scores of agents on the ground alongside local law enforcement officers, while a separate video has emerged of Combs allegedly outside an airport in Miami while the raids took place.
It comes as the 54-year-old music mogul has been the subject of several lawsuits, including for sexual misconduct.
US singer Cassie, whose real name is Casandra Ventura, settled a claim against Combs in November where she alleged she was a victim of rape and violent behaviour during their decade-long relationship - which Combs vehemently denied along with other allegations.
Douglas Wigdor, the lawyer for Ms Ventura and a second anonymous complainant, said in a statement given to the PA news agency: "We will always support law enforcement when it seeks to prosecute those that have violated the law.
"Hopefully, this is the beginning of a process that will hold Mr Combs responsible for his depraved conduct."
A representative for Combs has been contacted for comment.
Combs, who has also performed under the stage names Puff Daddy or P Diddy, was born and raised in New York.
He has helped propel stars including Usher, Mary J Blige and the Notorious B.I.G. to success.
The latter was gunned down in Los Angeles in 1997 and Combs’ tribute song I’ll Be Missing You, with its trademark sample from The Police’s Every Breath You Take, was a huge hit.
It became the first rap song to go straight in at number one in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and stayed at the top of the chart for almost three months as well as topping charts around the world.
The three-time Grammy winner and founder of Bad Boy Records also created the fashion clothing line Sean John, launched the Revolt TV channel and produced the reality show "Making the Band" for MTV.
