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The head of the United States Department of Homeland Security allegedly approved the acquisition of Spirit Airline jets before learning that the airline did not actually own the aircraft – and that the planes were missing engines.

This strange anecdote was detailed in a report released on Friday, which recounted how the secretary and a ex- political strategist had recently attempted to purchase 10 Boeing 737 aircraft from Spirit Airlines. Sources with knowledge informed the outlet that the pair intended to use the jets to increase deportation flights – and for private use.

Those insiders also stated that Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials had warned them that purchasing aircraft would be significantly costlier than simply increasing current charter agreements.

ICE facing intense criticism after footage apparently shows unresponsive individual holding infant during detention.

Making the situation more complex, Spirit, which filed for bankruptcy protection for the second instance in the summer, did not possess the jets and their power plants would have had to be bought independently. The plan has since been halted, according to the investigation.

In the interim, Democrats on the House funding panel said in October that during this fall's record-long federal shutdown, the DHS had already acquired two Gulfstream jets for $200m.

“It has come to our attention that, in the middle of a government shutdown, the United States Coast Guard entered into a single-source agreement with Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation to acquire two new G700 luxury aircraft to support travel for you and the deputy secretary, at a cost to the public of $200m,” Democratic representatives wrote in a letter to the department.

A department representative told the Journal that parts of its reporting about the plane purchases were inaccurate but declined to offer further details.

The legislature had earlier authorized the so-called “major immigration bill” in July, which dedicates roughly $170 billion for immigration-related and border security operations, a amount that makes ICE the most heavily funded law enforcement agency in the US government.

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

Leaked data reviewed from private airline Global Crossing outlined the journeys of tens of thousands of immigrants who have been transported around the country before removal.