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SPC Jul 26, 2026 0100 UTC Day 1 Convective Outlook

Source: US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

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Jul 26, 2026 0100 UTC Day 1 Convective Outlook

Updated: Sun Jul 26 01:00:02 UTC 2026 (Print Version |   |   |  )

Probabilistic to Categorical Outlook Conversion Table

 Forecast Discussion

SPC AC 260100

Day 1 Convective Outlook
NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK
0800 PM CDT Sat Jul 25 2026

Valid 260100Z – 261200Z

…THERE IS AN ENHANCED RISK OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS FOR EASTERN
SD…SOUTHWEST MN…NORTHERN IA…

…THERE IS A SLIGHT RISK OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS FOR PARTS OF
CENTRAL/EASTERN MT…

…SUMMARY…
Severe gusts (potentially greater than 75 mph) remain possible this
evening from eastern South Dakota into northern Iowa and southwest
Minnesota. Isolated to widely scattered severe gusts also remain
possible across parts of Montana.

…SD into southern MN/northern IA/far northeast NE…
A loosely organized storm cluster is moving across eastern SD this
evening. Additional intensification remains possible this evening,
as this cluster encounters extreme downstream buoyancy, with MLCAPE
of 4000-5000 J/kg within a very moist (dewpoints around 80 F)
environment. The ongoing cluster has produced measured gusts of
60-80 mph, so any notable intensification could lead to an increase
in potential for gusts in the 75-90 mph range. Isolated hail and
perhaps a tornado also remain possible through dusk with this
cluster. Increasing CINH with time and eastward extent should
eventually result in a weakening trend later tonight, though an
organized severe threat could eventually approach parts of southeast
MN/northeast IA into northwest IL overnight.

Farther northwest, a separate storm cluster is moving across
north-central SD, within a similarly favorable environment. In the
short term, this cluster may continue to move east-southeastward
along a surface boundary with a continued severe-wind threat.
Eventually, weakening buoyancy in the wake of the southeast SD
cluster will tend to result in a weakening trend with this cluster.

…Central/eastern Montana…
Strong to locally severe storms may persist through dusk across
parts of central/eastern MT, within a well-mixed environment that is
favorable for severe-wind potential. Increasing CINH will result in
an eventual weakening trend later tonight, though remnant outflows
may still produce strong to locally severe gusts as storms diminish.

…Southern AZ…
Widely scattered storms and increasing outflow may continue to
support strong to localized severe gusts within a very hot and
well-mixed environment across parts of southern AZ. Weak deep-layer
flow/shear should keep any remaining threat generally disorganized.

..Dean.. 07/26/2026

CLICK TO GET WUUS01 PTSDY1 PRODUCT

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ICE Chicago removes former NFL player, criminal illegal alien from Kenya

Source: US Immigration and Customs Enforcement

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — ICE Chicago removed a criminal illegal alien from Kenya and former Indianapolis Colts linebacker.

Adongo was arrested multiple times by Indiana law enforcement over the past nine years for crimes including felony intimidation, battery and disorderly conduct. He was convicted of criminal mischief with damage in 2020 and sentenced to 364 days in jail.

His most recent criminal charges fall under the Laken Riley act, a federal statute that requires the detention, without bond, of illegal aliens for certain crimes. The bill was introduced following the murder of Laken Riley by an illegal immigrant who had previously been cited for shoplifting on the University of Georgia campus in Athens, Georgia. President Trump signed the bill into law on Jan. 29, 2025.

Daniel Ogama Adongo, 37, overstayed his visa in 2016 after his NFL career ended in 2015. A Department of Justice immigration judge ordered him removed March 23, 2026, and ICE removed him June 20.

“This dangerous individual was clearly a threat to the community, which is now safer since he’s been removed,” said ICE Chicago Assistant Field Office Director Douglas Thompson. “Those who violate immigration law are held equally accountable, including former professional athletes.”

Adongo was recruited as a rugby player and played for the Colts for two seasons from 2013 to 2015.

Since Day One, DHS law enforcement has been delivering on President Trump’s promise to the American people to arrest and deport criminal illegal aliens including murderers, rapists, child sex abusers, gang members, and terrorists. Nearly 70% of ICE arrests are of illegal aliens charged or convicted of a crime in the U.S. More than 3 million illegal aliens are out of the country and counting. Our message is clear: If you come to our country illegally, we will find you, we will arrest you, and we will deport you.

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SPC PDS Severe Thunderstorm Watch 513

Source: US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Note:  The expiration time in the watch graphic is amended if the watch is replaced, cancelled or extended.Note: Click for Watch Status Reports.
SEL3

URGENT – IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
Severe Thunderstorm Watch Number 513
NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK
335 PM CDT Sat Jul 25 2026

The NWS Storm Prediction Center has issued a

* Severe Thunderstorm Watch for portions of
Central and Eastern South Dakota

* Effective this Saturday afternoon and evening from 335 PM until
1100 PM CDT.

…THIS IS A PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS SITUATION…

* Primary threats include…
Widespread damaging winds and scattered significant gusts to 100
mph likely
Isolated large hail events to 1.5 inches in diameter possible

SUMMARY…Thunderstorms are forecast to intensify this afternoon and
become severe with an initial threat for isolated large hail and
severe gusts. As additional storms form and cold pools coalesce, a
linear cluster of severe thunderstorms is expected to organize in
central and eastern South Dakota by the early evening. A
severe-wind squall line with widespread severe gusts is forecast and
peak gusts 85 to 100 mph are likely.

The severe thunderstorm watch area is approximately along and 75
statute miles north and south of a line from 20 miles west northwest
of Philip SD to 20 miles southeast of Brookings SD. For a complete
depiction of the watch see the associated watch outline update
(WOUS64 KWNS WOU3).

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

REMEMBER…A Severe Thunderstorm Watch means conditions are
favorable for severe thunderstorms in and close to the watch area.
Persons in these areas should be on the lookout for threatening
weather conditions and listen for later statements and possible
warnings. Severe thunderstorms can and occasionally do produce
tornadoes.

&&

AVIATION…A few severe thunderstorms with hail surface and aloft to
1.5 inches. Extreme turbulence and surface wind gusts to 85 knots. A
few cumulonimbi with maximum tops to 600. Mean storm motion vector
28040.

…Smith

SEL3

URGENT – IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
Severe Thunderstorm Watch Number 513
NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK
335 PM CDT Sat Jul 25 2026

The NWS Storm Prediction Center has issued a

* Severe Thunderstorm Watch for portions of
Central and Eastern South Dakota

* Effective this Saturday afternoon and evening from 335 PM until
1100 PM CDT.

…THIS IS A PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS SITUATION…

* Primary threats include…
Widespread damaging winds and scattered significant gusts to 100
mph likely
Isolated large hail events to 1.5 inches in diameter possible

SUMMARY…Thunderstorms are forecast to intensify this afternoon and
become severe with an initial threat for isolated large hail and
severe gusts. As additional storms form and cold pools coalesce, a
linear cluster of severe thunderstorms is expected to organize in
central and eastern South Dakota by the early evening. A
severe-wind squall line with widespread severe gusts is forecast and
peak gusts 85 to 100 mph are likely.

The severe thunderstorm watch area is approximately along and 75
statute miles north and south of a line from 20 miles west northwest
of Philip SD to 20 miles southeast of Brookings SD. For a complete
depiction of the watch see the associated watch outline update
(WOUS64 KWNS WOU3).

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

REMEMBER…A Severe Thunderstorm Watch means conditions are
favorable for severe thunderstorms in and close to the watch area.
Persons in these areas should be on the lookout for threatening
weather conditions and listen for later statements and possible
warnings. Severe thunderstorms can and occasionally do produce
tornadoes.

&&

AVIATION…A few severe thunderstorms with hail surface and aloft to
1.5 inches. Extreme turbulence and surface wind gusts to 85 knots. A
few cumulonimbi with maximum tops to 600. Mean storm motion vector
28040.

…Smith

Note: The Aviation Watch (SAW) product is an approximation to the watch area. The actual watch is depicted by the shaded areas.
SAW3
WW 513 SEVERE TSTM SD 252035Z – 260400Z
AXIS..75 STATUTE MILES NORTH AND SOUTH OF LINE..
20WNW PHP/PHILIP SD/ – 20SE BKX/BROOKINGS SD/
..AVIATION COORDS.. 65NM N/S /46ENE RAP – 29NNE FSD/
HAIL SURFACE AND ALOFT..1.5 INCHES. WIND GUSTS..85 KNOTS.
MAX TOPS TO 600. MEAN STORM MOTION VECTOR 28040.

LAT…LON 45250197 45189654 43019654 43070197

THIS IS AN APPROXIMATION TO THE WATCH AREA. FOR A
COMPLETE DEPICTION OF THE WATCH SEE WOUS64 KWNS
FOR WOU3.

Watch 513 Status Report Message has not been issued yet.

Note:  Click for Complete Product Text.Tornadoes

Probability of 2 or more tornadoes

Low (10%)

Probability of 1 or more strong (EF2-EF5) tornadoes

Low (10%)

Wind

Probability of 10 or more severe wind events

High (80%)

Probability of 1 or more wind events > 65 knots

High (80%)

Hail

Probability of 10 or more severe hail events

Mod (30%)

Probability of 1 or more hailstones > 2 inches

Low (20%)

Combined Severe Hail/Wind

Probability of 6 or more combined severe hail/wind events

High (>95%)

For each watch, probabilities for particular events inside the watch (listed above in each table) are determined by the issuing forecaster. The “Low” category contains probability values ranging from less than 2% to 20% (EF2-EF5 tornadoes), less than 5% to 20% (all other probabilities), “Moderate” from 30% to 60%, and “High” from 70% to greater than 95%. High values are bolded and lighter in color to provide awareness of an increased threat for a particular event.

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US Department of Labor files amicus brief supporting fiduciary discretion in use of forfeited funds under ERISA

Source: US Department of Labor

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today filed an amicus brief urging the Fourth Circuit to affirm a district court’s decision dismissing the claims in Stana v. SAS Institute Inc., No. 26-1305, that the employer breached its fiduciary obligations by not using forfeited funds for plan expenses.

In the amicus brief, the department asserted that the district court appropriately determined the plan fiduciary did not violate its duty of loyalty to plan participants. The plaintiffs’ argument that forfeitures should be allocated to pay plan expenses does not allow for the fact that the plan at issue gave the fiduciary that allocated the forfeitures discretion over them under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act.

The department has primary authority to interpret and enforce provisions of Title I of ERISA to ensure fair and impartial administration and compliance with its requirements.

The plaintiffs in the case were employed by the SAS Institute and participated in its retirement plan that allowed employees to be fully vested after five years of employment. If a participant left the company before completing five years of employment, the employee would forfeit the balance of the company’s unvested matching contributions. As the plan manager, SAS has the power to determine how forfeited funds are distributed, the brief said.

Between 2018 and 2023, SAS generally opted to use the forfeited funds to reduce its matching contributions. However, in 2022, SAS chose to allocate $222,320 in forfeitures toward plan expenses. Plaintiffs claimed that unless the plan was on the verge of insolvency, SAS should have used all forfeitures to pay plan expenses to reduce costs for participants.

Under ERISA, retirement plan administrators must act loyally. They do not act disloyally by choosing to use forfeitures for employers’ plan contributions rather than plan expenses, the department said. The brief also contended that continued litigation of this type could have the unintended effect of disincentivizing employers from creating retirement plans.

 Read the department’s amicus brief in Stana v. SAS Institute.

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SPC – No watches are valid as of Sat Jul 25 06:02:01 UTC 2026

Source: US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Current Convective Watches (View What is a Watch? clip)Updated:  Sat Jul 25 06:04:05 UTC 2026 No watches are currently valid

Archived Convective ProductsTo view convective products for a previous day, type in the date you wish to retrieve (e.g. 20040529 for May 29, 2004). Data available since January 1, 2004.

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SPC – No MDs are in effect as of Sat Jul 25 06:02:01 UTC 2026

Source: US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Current Mesoscale DiscussionsUpdated:  Sat Jul 25 06:03:02 UTC 2026 No Mesoscale Discussions are currently in effect.

Notice:  The responsibility for Heavy Rain Mesoscale Discussions has been transferred to the Weather Prediction Center (WPC) on April 9, 2013. Click here for the Service Change Notice.
Archived Convective ProductsTo view convective products for a previous day, type in the date you wish to retrieve (e.g. 20040529 for May 29, 2004). Data available since January 1, 2004.

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SPC Jul 25, 2026 0600 UTC Day 1 Convective Outlook

Source: US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

SPC AC 250556

Day 1 Convective Outlook
NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK
1256 AM CDT Sat Jul 25 2026

Valid 251200Z – 261200Z

…THERE IS A SLIGHT RISK OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS FOR PARTS OF
CENTRAL MT…AND ALSO ACROSS PARTS OF SD…

…SUMMARY…
Storms with scattered severe wind gusts are possible across parts of
Montana and South Dakota this afternoon and evening.

…MT into SD and vicinity…
An expansive upper ridge will remain anchored over much of the
southwest and central CONUS through the period. Very hot
temperatures are expected this afternoon from MT into the Dakotas.
Isolated to scattered storms within the hot and well-mixed
environment will result in a broad area of at least isolated
severe-wind potential. 5% wind probabilities have been expanded to
cover this potential, with 15% wind probabilities (equivalent to
categorical Level 2/Slight Risk) added across parts of MT and SD,
where terrain features may enhance storm coverage within the
favorable severe-wind environment.

For parts of western/central MT, convection that develops by
early/mid afternoon near the high terrain is expected to spread
eastward into the hot and well-mixed environment. This convection
may be aided by a low-amplitude midlevel vorticity maximum moving
around the periphery of the upper ridge. Increasing storm coverage
and gradually strengthening mid/upper-level flow may allow for one
or more outflow-driven clusters to develop and spread
east-northeastward into early evening, with a threat of severe
gusts. Localized gusts of 75+ mph cannot be ruled out, especially if
deeper convection is able to spread into areas where very deep
mixing and heating to near/above 100 F occurs prior to storm
arrival.

Farther east, very strong heating is expected across parts of
western/central SD, with temperatures in some areas potentially
rising to near/above 105 F. Low-level moisture will be relatively
sparse, but MLCAPE of near/above 1000 J/kg will be possible where
50s F dewpoints can be maintained within the well-mixed environment.
Initial storm development near the Black Hills will quickly become
outflow dominant as it spreads eastward, with an increasing threat
of severe gusts. Deep-layer shear will be somewhat favorable for
organized convection, and some guidance depicts development of a
persistent cluster or loosely organized MCS that moves eastward
across SD along a weak surface boundary. Should this occur, a
corridor of more organized severe-wind threat (with gusts
potentially near/above 75 mph) will be possible.

…Northern/eastern MN into WI and Upper MI…
Conditional severe potential remains evident across parts of the
Upper Midwest, though confidence regarding storm coverage and timing
remains very low within the weakly forced environment. Moderate to
strong destabilization is possible along/south of a surface front
that is forecast to extend from northeast ND into northern MN/WI by
late afternoon. Effective shear of 50+ kt will be more than
sufficient for storm organization, but most guidance remains rather
muted regarding potential for diurnal storm development. If storms
are able to develop during the afternoon or evening, then a threat
for hail, damaging wind, and possibly a tornado could evolve. Even
if diurnal storm development is limited, vigorous elevated storms
may evolve within a warm-advection regime near/north of the front
late tonight, which would pose a threat for hail and perhaps locally
damaging wind. Confidence remains too low to include more than
Level-1/Marginal Risk equivalent probabilities at this time.

…Northeast NV/northern UT into eastern ID…
Storm development is expected during the afternoon across parts of
northeast NV, along the western periphery of the upper ridge. These
storms will spread into adjacent parts of southeast ID and northwest
UT with time. Strong to locally severe gusts will be possible with
these storms as they move northeastward through a well-mixed
environment.

…South-central/southeast AZ…
High-based convection is again expected across southeast AZ during
the afternoon, with initial downburst potential. Modest enhancement
to easterly flow along the southern periphery of the upper ridge may
allow for localized strong to severe gusts to spread westward into
parts of south-central AZ, before convection weakens later Saturday
night.

..Dean/Squitieri.. 07/25/2026

CLICK TO GET WUUS01 PTSDY1 PRODUCT

NOTE: THE NEXT DAY 1 OUTLOOK IS SCHEDULED BY 1300Z

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SPC Jul 25, 2026 0600 UTC Day 2 Convective Outlook

Source: US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

SPC AC 250524

Day 2 Convective Outlook
NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK
1224 AM CDT Sat Jul 25 2026

Valid 261200Z – 271200Z

…THERE IS A SLIGHT RISK OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS OVER THE UPPER
MISSISSIPPI VALLEY INTO UPPER MIDWEST…

…SUMMARY…
Severe thunderstorms capable of mainly large hail and damaging winds
are possible from the upper Mississippi Valley and Great Lakes into
portions of the mid Missouri Valley on Sunday and Sunday night.

…Synopsis…

A dominant upper high will remain anchored over the central and
southern Plains with an associated ridge extending north into
central Canada. Within the periphery of the ridge, a belt of
enhanced mid-level flow will extend from the Pacific Northwest
through south-central Canada into the Great Lakes and middle OH
Valley. A series of weak mid-level disturbances will translate
through the stream of higher-momentum flow, the most notable of
which is a short-wave trough that will crest the ridge axis over
SK/MB. Modest height falls are expected downstream from that feature
from northern MN into the upper Great Lakes Sunday night/early
Monday.

At the surface, a cool front attending the SK/MB system will advance
through the northern High Plains into the ND-MN Red River Valley. A
weak front will settle south through northern parts of MN and WI
before stalling, while a separate frontal system extends from the
Southeast into the Midwest with another boundary.

…Upper Mississippi Valley and Great Lakes into the Mid Missouri
and Ohio Valleys…
Capping associated with the mid-level ridge and the subtle nature of
mechanisms to sustain forcing for ascent lead to considerable
uncertainty in the location, areal coverage, and intensity of
thunderstorms Sunday into Sunday night. That being said, a few
early-day thunderstorms appear possible across the upper Midwest
within a zone of warm advection and aided by the glancing influence
of a weak disturbance moving through the upper Great Lakes. The
storms would likely be elevated within a plume of moderate
instability and ample vertical shear, suggesting some potential for
large hail and damaging winds.

By afternoon, a reservoir of moderate to strong instability is
forecast across the Midwest with the various models indicating the
potential for diurnally enhanced thunderstorm development at various
locations from the mid MO Valley into lower MI. Confidence in any
one scenario remains low, and as such, a modest expansion of the
level 1/Marginal Risk was made across parts of the OH Valley to
account for the broad range of potential outcomes. Given the degree
of instability and seasonably strong vertical shear, higher severe
weather probabilities and related conditional intensity groups may
become necessary once forecast details become more clear.

As alluded to in the synopsis, stronger forcing for ascent tied to
the approaching Canadian disturbance and surface front may support a
more focused area of thunderstorm development over MN Sunday night.
Subsequent upscale growth into a forward-propagating MCS appears
possible, which would increase the potential for a swath of severe
wind gusts.

…Southeast…
One or multiple weak disturbances aloft are expected to overspread
the region, along with a slight increase in mid/upper-level winds.
In response, a weak surface low may develop across upstate SC, along
a subtle front/confluence zone in the area. Thunderstorms are
expected to increase in coverage and intensity through the afternoon
along the front and developing sea-breeze boundaries within a very
moist and moderately unstable air mass. Steep low-level lapses and
high precipitable water content will enhance downdraft potential
with an associated risk for locally damaging winds.

..Mead.. 07/25/2026

CLICK TO GET WUUS02 PTSDY2 PRODUCT

NOTE: THE NEXT DAY 2 OUTLOOK IS SCHEDULED BY 1730Z

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BAXTER ISSUES VOLUNTARY NATIONWIDE RECALL OF CEFAZOLIN IN DEXTROSE INJECTION, USP, 2G / 100ML (20MG / ML) SINGLE-DOSE INFUSION BAG IN 100ML DUE TO PARTICULATE MATTER FOUND IN SOLUTION

Source: US Department of Health and Human Services – 3

Summary

Company Announcement Date:
July 24, 2026
FDA Publish Date:
July 24, 2026
Product Type:
Drugs
Reason for Announcement:

Recall Reason Description
Particulate matter (cardboard) found in the solution.

Company Name:
Baxter International Inc.
Brand Name:

Brand Name(s)
Baxter

Product Description:

Product Description
Cefazolin in Dextrose Injection

Company Announcement
July 24, 2026 – DEERFIELD, Ill., Baxter International Inc. (NYSE:BAX) is voluntarily recalling Lot LD175708, Exp 14-Feb 2027 of Cefazolin in Dextrose Injection due to a report of particulate matter found in the solution identified as cardboard.
Risk Statement: The use of the defective product has a reasonable probability of causing pulmonary emboli (blockage in pulmonary blood vessels), occlusions of other blood vessels (which can lead to tissue death and possible organ damage), and/or phlebitis (inflammation of the walls of veins, which may lead to clotting). Systemically, foreign particles infused intravenously can cause systemic activation of the immune system, organ dysfunction, and hemolysis (breakdown of blood cells). To date, Baxter has not received any reports of adverse events related to this issue.
Affected Product:This product is used intravenously to treat bacterial infections or prevent them during surgery

Product Code
Product Description
Lot Number
Expiration Date
NDC Number

2G3508
Cefazolin in Dextrose Injection, USP, 2g / 100mL (20mg / mL) Single-Dose Infusion Bag in 100mL GALAXY Plastic Container, Frozen Premix
LD175708
14-Feb-2027 
0338-3508-41

The affected lots can be identified by locating the lot number and expiration date on the front of the product package and the label attached to the carton, as shown in the images below.
The impacted product was distributed from 3/25/2025 to 6/30/2025 in the United States.
Customers should immediately discontinue use of and return all affected units in accordance with their facility’s process. Baxter is contacting customers with instructions on how to identify and return the impacted product.
For general questions regarding this communication, please contact Baxter Healthcare Center for Service at 888-229-0001 between the hours of 7:00 am and 6:00 pm Central Time, Monday through Friday.
Adverse reactions or quality problems experienced with the use of this product may be reported to the FDA’s MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program either online, by regular mail or by fax.

The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has been notified of this action.

Company Contact Information

Consumers:
(888) 229-0001

Product Photos

Content current as of:
07/24/2026

Regulated Product(s)

Follow FDA

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ICE HSI dismantles ‘SIM farms’ in nationwide cyber fraud crackdown

Source: US Immigration and Customs Enforcement

WASHINGTON — ICE Homeland Security Investigations executed a nationwide operation targeting illegal SIM box operations run by transnational criminal organizations between June 22 and July 10. The mission, dubbed Operation Signal Break, dismantled critical command-and-control infrastructure used to perpetrate large-scale telecommunications fraud across the United States.    

Led by the DHS Cyber Crimes Center with significant assistance from HSI Los Angeles, Operation Signal Break mobilized specialized “SIM Box Surge Teams” of special agents, criminal analysts and computer forensics analysts to high-risk areas in California, Florida, Texas, Massachusetts, New York and New Jersey. The coordinated effort involved more than 11 HSI field offices.

Operation Signal Break is the latest initiative targeting illegal SIM box operations across the United States. Since 2024, HSI has executed over 116 federal criminal search warrants, seizing more than 500,000 SIM cards, over 1,900 SIM boxes, and more than $700,000 in illicit proceeds. HSI’s investigations have led to one criminal arrest, 11 administrative arrests, and the disruption of 68 SIM farms in 15 states used to facilitate fraudulent texts and calls. These actions were often coordinated across regions to prevent criminal organizations from reconfiguring their infrastructure to evade law enforcement.

“I commend our special agents for their outstanding dedication and teamwork in dismantling illicit telecommunications infrastructure. Their relentless pursuit of justice and commitment to protecting the integrity of our communications networks have made our communities safer and sends a clear message to those seeking to exploit our systems to defraud Americans,” said HSI acting Executive Associate Director John Condon. “This success is a testament to the skill and determination of our HSI team.” 

SIM farms are collections of devices — known as SIM boxes — that house hundreds or thousands of cellphone SIM cards. These devices enable criminals to route massive volumes of calls and text messages over the internet, disguising the origin of communications and facilitating illegal activities such as scam calls, phishing texts and fraud schemes. These operations cost Americans an estimated $15 million each year, according to the Federal Trade Commission.

HSI Los Angeles, in partnership with the Counter Threat Finance Unit and the Cross Border Financial Crimes Center, will analyze seized SIM data and network artifacts to identify victims, quantify fraud losses, and trace illicit proceeds linked to Chinese transnational criminal organizations and their distribution networks. These results will support further criminal indictments, asset seizures, and sanctions targeting domestic and overseas infrastructure.

Operation Signal Break included HSI Los Angeles, HSI Miami, HSI Tampa, HSI New England, HSI Houston and additional offices nationwide. Significant assistance for this operation was provided by the U.S. Attorney’s office for the Central District of California.

HSI urges the public to remain vigilant against scam calls and texts. Suspicious activity can be reported to the ICE Tip Line at 866-357-2423 or online at ICE Tip Form.

The DHS Cyber Crimes Center supports HSI’s mission through coordination of cyber-related criminal investigations and provides forensic, intelligence and investigative support across all HSI program areas, targeting cross-border cybercrime within HSI’s jurisdiction.