Devices seized near U.N. meeting could have shut down cellphone networkstoggle caption Daniel Slim/AFP via Getty ImagesThe U.S. Secret Service said it uncovered a large network of electronic devices capable of disrupting cellphone networks in New York ahead of the 80th anniversary meeting of the United Nations General Assembly. However, U.S. Secret Service Director Sean Curran said that the "potential" for damage was significant, ranging from disabling regional cellphone towers to facilitating communications between criminals and foreign adversaries. Secret Service agents are working alongside the New York Police Department and other law enforcement agencies including Homeland Security Investigations to conduct forensic analysis on the devices. The U.S. Secret Service did not say whether the devices uncovered in New York had any connection to Salt Typhoon operations. If the massive cache of devices was used to shut down cellphone networks and potentially impair emergency communications, that would go beyond what might be an expected level of monitoring and spying.