Sean “Diddy” Combs’ Los Angeles and Miami homes searched by Homeland Security

Two properties owned by rapper Sean “Diddy” Combs have been searched by U.S. Homeland Security as part of a sex trafficking investigation, according to reports.

New York's Department of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) said it “performed law enforcement actions as part of an ongoing investigation” with assistance from HSI Los Angeles and HSI Miami.

Two properties were searched in Los Angeles and Miami as part of the investigation, according to the AP news agency, but it was unclear whether the searches were related to several ongoing lawsuits filed against Combs in recent months .

Authorities did not specify the reasons for the searches or whether they were related to Combs, but AP reported that it was part of an ongoing sex trafficking investigation by federal authorities in New York.

Photographs showed dozens of agents on the ground alongside local law enforcement officers, while another video was released showing Combs allegedly outside a Miami airport during the raids.

This comes as the 54-year-old music mogul has faced several lawsuits, including for sexual misconduct.

American singer Cassie, real name Casandra Ventura, settled a lawsuit against Combs in November, alleging she was the victim of rape and violent behavior during their decade-long relationship – which Combs denied vehemently, as well as other allegations.

Douglas Wigdor, Ms Ventura's lawyer and a second anonymous complainant, said in a statement given to the PA news agency: “We will always support law enforcement as they seek to prosecute those who have violated the law.

“I hope this is the beginning of a process that will hold Mr. Combs accountable for his depraved conduct.”

A representative for Combs has been contacted for comment.

Combs, who also performed under the stage names Puff Daddy or P Diddy, was born and raised in New York.

He helped propel stars such as Usher, Mary J Blige and Notorious BIG to success.

The latter was shot dead in Los Angeles in 1997 and Combs' tribute song I'll Be Missing You, with its signature sample of The Police's Every Breath You Take, was a huge hit.

It became the first rap song to go straight to number one on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and remained at the top of the chart for almost three months as well as topping charts around the world.

The three-time Grammy winner and founder of Bad Boy Records also created the Sean John fashion clothing line, launched the Revolt TV channel and produced the reality show “Making the Band” for MTV.