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The secretary of the US Department of Homeland Security reportedly approved the purchase of Spirit Airline jets before learning that the airline did not truly possess the aircraft – and that the aircraft lacked engines.

This strange anecdote was detailed in a investigation released on Friday, which recounted how the official and a former political strategist had recently arranged to purchase 10 Boeing 737 aircraft from the airline. Sources with knowledge informed the outlet that the pair planned to use the jets to increase removal flights – and for personal travel.

Those sources also stated that Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials had warned them that buying planes would be far more expensive than simply expanding existing flight contracts.

ICE facing intense criticism after video apparently shows unresponsive individual holding child during detention.

Making the situation more complex, Spirit, which filed for bankruptcy protection for the second instance in the summer, did not own the jets and their engines would have had to be bought separately. The plan has since been paused, according to the investigation.

Meanwhile, Democrats on the House funding panel said in October that during this season's historically lengthy government shutdown, the Department of Homeland Security had already purchased two Gulfstream jets for $200 million.

“It has come to our attention that, in the midst of a federal shutdown, the US Coast Guard signed a single-source agreement with Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation to procure two new G700 luxury jets to facilitate travel for the secretary and the deputy, at a expense to the public of $200 million,” Democratic representatives wrote in a letter to the department.

A DHS spokesperson informed the outlet that some details in the report about the aircraft acquisitions were incorrect but declined to provide further details.

Congress had earlier approved the termed “major immigration bill” in the summer, which dedicates roughly $170 billion for immigration-related and border-related operations, a sum that makes Immigration and Customs Enforcement the most heavily funded law enforcement agency in the federal government.

In September, it was reported that the administration was moving individuals held as part of its removal program in ways that violated their constitutionally protected rights, often by air.

Confidential information reviewed from charter airline GlobalX detailed the journeys of thousands of immigrants who have been shuttled around the country before deportation.