US detectives investigating Sean ‘Diddy‘ Combs’ have arrived in London following concerns the embattled rapper may have abused women in the UK.
The musician, 54, real name Sean Love Combs, is currently awaiting trial at Brooklyn’s Metropolitan Detention Center in New York City on charges of sex trafficking, racketeering and transportation to engage in prostitution.
He has pleaded not guilty to all three charges and was denied bail.
It is alleged that the rapper would coerce and manipulate victims into taking part in days-long sexual performances, which he dubbed ‘freak offs’.
Diddy’s associates would allegedly ply victims with drugs to keep them compliant and would make threats against anyone refusing to engage, in claims similar to those made in a civil lawsuit brought by Diddy’s ex-girlfriend Cassie last year.
Combs has been a regular visitor to Britain over the last 30 years, prompting fears there may be victims of the hip hop star’s alleged activities in the UK.
The successful billionaire rapper has rubbed shoulders with British celebrities, royalties and socialites over the decades.
He was a guest at Sir Elton John’s White Tie and Tiara Ball held at his Windsor mansion in 2001, while in 2007 he performed at the Concert for Diana at Wembley, where he was pictured with William and Harry backstage.
It’s not thought William or Harry have attended any of the parties allegedly staged by Combs which are now being investigated by the authorities.
The rapper was again in Britain in 2008 and 2010 to film and promote Get Him to the Greek, in which he appeared in a supporting role alongside Russell Brand and Jonah Hill.
Combs returned to London in June 2010 to launch his fashion brand Sean John and again in May 2017 with former girlfriend Cassie Ventura, who would later launch a civil lawsuit against him over sexual and physical abuse claims.
The rapper made additional trips to the British shores over this time.
A source told The Mirror: ‘Outside of the States, he enjoyed no place more than the UK.
‘Given the huge amount of time he spent in London, there are concerns that the alleged offending was not confined to America’s shores.
‘Prosecutors are imploring anyone in the UK who may have information they feel could help the investigation to get in touch.’
The team of American detectives are led by Damian Williams, the prosecutor who built a successful case against Ghislaine Maxwell for her part in procuring girls for paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein.
On Friday, Combs’ attorney Marc Agnifilo revealed the rapper has no plans to take a plea bargain.
Combs insists that he is innocent and plans to fight in the trial until the end, Agnifilo told TMZ for the outlet’s new documentary on the case.
His attorney also shared that Combs strongly believes that this is a ‘racially motivated prosecution’ and that he is being targeted because he is a ‘successful Black man.’
This comes after his attorney previously told the outlet that Combs ‘can’t wait’ to testify in court.
Agnifilo, a former Manhattan Assistant District Attorney, told the outlet that Combs plans to ‘fight this case not just for himself, but for others in a similar position,’ who are also facing government persecution.
His attorney also said that Combs has his family on his mind and wants to prove to them that he is ‘the same man they’ve always known.’
Agnifolo previously said that the Bad Boy Records founder is ‘eager’ to testify.
‘I don’t know that I could keep him off the stand,’ he said. ‘I think he is very eager to tell his story. And I think he will tell every part of his story.’
He shared that Combs also wants to tell his side of the story in regards to the 2016 hotel security footage of him attacking his ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura.
‘He has his story and he has a story that I think only he can tell in the way he can tell it in real-time,’ Agnifilo told the outlet. ‘And it’s a human story. It’s a story of love. It’s a story of hurt. It’s a story of heartbreak.’
His comments came after Agnifilo explained the alleged reason behind the ‘1,000 bottles’ of baby oil and lubricant authorities found in Combs’ homes in Miami and Los Angeles.
‘I don’t think it was 1,000. I think it was a lot. I mean, there is a Costco right down the street. I think Americans buy in bulk, as we know,’ he told the New York Post.
Costco slammed the allegations in a statement to TMZ, saying they do not carry baby oil in any of their U.S. retail locations.