FBI and ICE Uncover Massive Corruption and Drug Smuggling Operation in Minneapolis
In a sweeping and unprecedented operation, federal agencies including the FBI, ICE, DEA, and the U.S. Marshals Service successfully dismantled a criminal network that had deeply infiltrated the U.S.
immigration system and drug trade.
The operation culminated in Minneapolis, Minnesota, where Judge Leila Mahed, a respected immigration judge, was arrested for orchestrating a massive scheme involving fraudulent asylum approvals, bribes totaling $69 million, and smuggling of drugs and weapons.
The investigation began months earlier with a routine audit that uncovered suspiciously rapid approvals of asylum cases by Judge Mahed—3,847 approvals between 2021 and 2024, many processed in mere hours instead of months.
This anomaly triggered a Treasury Department probe revealing that payments of $18,000 per case were funneled through shell companies linked to the Somali Brotherhood Network, a criminal syndicate operating across multiple states.
Federal agents discovered that Judge Mahed was not only approving cases without proper background checks or interviews but was actively coordinating with cartel members via encrypted phones.
These communications revealed explicit instructions to bypass national security protocols, enabling the smuggling of people and contraband under the guise of legal immigration.
Raids on Judge Mahed’s office and home uncovered staggering evidence: over $340,000 in cash, forged passports, encrypted hard drives containing videos of meetings with cartel operatives, and bank records showing $127 million in illicit wire transfers.
The most alarming find was a warehouse in Brooklyn Park stocked with 63 untraceable AR-15 rifles modified for full auto, 240,000 rounds of ammunition, and nearly 280 pounds of methamphetamine—enough to cause mass casualties.
Simultaneous raids across seven states led to dozens of arrests, including key figures in forgery and money laundering.
The investigation also uncovered that approximately 47,000 asylum applications had been fraudulently approved nationwide during the same period, resulting in an estimated $1.4 billion in defrauded benefits.
The human cost was devastating: weapons seized were ballistically linked to 23 unsolved homicides, and the drugs confiscated were tied to 89 overdose deaths.
On March 18th, 2025, Judge Mahed’s trial began amid overwhelming evidence.
Prosecutors presented incriminating audio recordings, detailed ledgers of bribes, and thousands of text messages coordinating the illegal activities.
After just 11 hours of jury deliberation, she was found guilty on all counts, including corruption, racketeering, wire fraud, and money laundering.
Sentenced to 28 years in federal prison without parole, Mahed was ordered to forfeit $31.7 million in assets and pay restitution to victims.
Her arrest marked a significant victory in combating corruption within the immigration system, but the fallout continued as 41 other officials implicated in the scheme were also convicted.
By August 2025, federal reforms had dramatically reduced fraudulent asylum approvals by 91%, showcasing the operation’s lasting impact.
This case exposed how deeply corruption can hide behind the facade of justice and compassion, emphasizing the need for vigilance and accountability in safeguarding the integrity of the legal system.
