VAN NUYS, Calif. — Federal immigration authorities arrested two individuals on Friday during a raid at a Van Nuys residence believed to be a hub for human trafficking and criminal activity with ties to national security threats, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
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The operation, executed by CBP’s Special Response Team, in coordination with Border Patrol tactical units and Air and Marine Operations, followed a week of escalating federal activity at the same location. The residence has been under surveillance as part of an ongoing investigation into transnational smuggling networks.
Earlier this week, seven Iranian nationals were arrested at the same address. According to CBP, some of those individuals were listed on the FBI Terror Watchlist, and others were identified as associates of an Iranian human trafficking network.
National Security Concerns
In a social media statement, CBP described the Van Nuys property as a repeated site for harboring illegal entrants with suspected links to terrorism. Officials emphasized that the arrests are part of a broader, intensified federal crackdown on criminal smuggling operations that pose direct threats to national security.
“CBP is taking aggressive action to shut down smuggling networks and remove national security threats before they can do harm,” the agency said in a statement.
Authorities have not publicly identified the two individuals arrested Friday, and it remains unclear whether they have direct links to the previously arrested Iranian nationals. The nature of the charges against them has not yet been disclosed.
Ongoing Investigation
The investigation is part of a larger federal effort to disrupt international smuggling rings believed to be using residential safe houses across Southern California to conceal undocumented migrants, some of whom may be involved in broader criminal or terrorist plots.
CBP officials said additional arrests and enforcement actions may follow as the investigation unfolds. Local and federal authorities are reportedly working in coordination with national intelligence agencies to assess the full scope of the threat.
Community Impact
The arrests have rattled residents of the Van Nuys neighborhood, where the house — once seen as just another home — is now at the center of a high-level federal probe. Neighbors expressed shock at the heavy law enforcement presence and the alleged ties to human trafficking and terrorism.
Anyone with information related to the case or suspicious activity in the area is urged to contact federal authorities or submit tips anonymously via the CBP website.
This is a developing story. Updates will be provided as more details become available.