On Tuesday, October 20th, federal agencies carried out law enforcement raids at daytime nursing facilities in New York City. The areas targeted for enforcement included the Chinese-populated neighborhoods of Flushing and 8th Avenue in Brooklyn.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) stated that federal agents, along with their law enforcement partners, conducted operations in Queens, Staten Island, and Brooklyn.
In a statement, the FBI mentioned that these actions were related to an ongoing federal investigation but did not provide further details or specify any targets.
According to a report from the New York branch of Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS), sources within federal law enforcement departments revealed that Tuesday’s search operation was related to suspected healthcare fraud.
Surveillance camera footage from a storefront on 8th Avenue in Brooklyn near 41st street showed at least eight individuals dressed in law enforcement attire. Some recordings depicted agents wearing jackets with the initials “HSI” (Homeland Security Investigations) inscribed on them.
A video circulating online showed agents appearing at the “Jiale Elderly Day Activity Center” located at 4021 8th Avenue in Brooklyn. This is a nursing center catering to elderly Chinese individuals.
Reports indicated that similar enforcement activities were also observed in Flushing, Queens, and Staten Island.