The Narco Blog

144 Arrests, 290 Guns, 1,124 Kilos of Drugs: Las Vegas ‘Operation Loaded Dice’ Targeted Contraband Bound for the CJNG and Sinaloa Cartel, Officials Say

By The Narco Blog · October 8, 2026 · Updated October 8, 2026

Homeland Security Task Force slide titled Operation Loaded Dice showing a silver pickup with its door panel cut open, wrapped bricks packed inside a hidden compartment, and about two dozen wrapped bricks laid out on a table — Wrapped packages found in a hidden compartment of a pickup and laid out after seizure, from a Homeland Security Task Force slide on Operation Loaded Dice. Photo: Homeland Security Task Force (DHS), via KSNV News 3 Las Vegas.

A 68-day federal and local crackdown in Las Vegas called “Operation Loaded Dice” ended with 144 arrests, 290 firearms and an estimated 1,124 kilograms (about 2,478 pounds) of drugs seized, Homeland Security Investigations officials said Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026, according to KTNV and KSNV News 3. KSNV reported that the operation targeted contraband reportedly bound for the Sinaloa cartel and the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG).

What officials say they seized

Erin Burke, special agent in charge of HSI Los Angeles, whose region includes Las Vegas, said agencies “initiated 13 new HSTF investigations and made 144 criminal apprehensions, including 123 state arrests and 21 federal arrests,” KSNV reported. KTNV said 21 of the cases are expected to lead to federal charges.

The two stations reported different money totals. KSNV said the operation seized more than $1 million in cash and assets; KTNV quoted Burke as saying at least $100 million was seized. KSNV described the drugs as more than a ton of cocaine, fentanyl, methamphetamine and marijuana, and put the gun count at nearly 300.

The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, Henderson and North Las Vegas police took part, KSNV said. KTNV quoted officials describing a focus on firearms and narcotics trafficking, bulk cash smuggling and related violent crime in the Las Vegas area.

Homeland Security Task Force slide titled Operation Loaded Dice showing five seized rifles and pistols standing in front of the ATF Las Vegas Field Office sign — Seized firearms displayed at the ATF Las Vegas Field Office, from a Homeland Security Task Force slide on Operation Loaded Dice. Photo: Homeland Security Task Force (DHS), via KSNV News 3 Las Vegas.

How strong is the cartel link?

KTNV reported that officials did not share specifics on direct connections to criminal organizations. Christopher Delzotto, special agent in charge of the FBI’s Las Vegas field office, said cartel-connected people arrested in the area most often have ties to the CJNG and Sinaloa cartel, the station said. Delzotto told KSNV that because cartels are now designated foreign terrorist organizations, the task force can use “different legal charges as well as intelligence.”

Ty Ramey, deputy director of the HSI task force, told KSNV that some of those arrested were local, while others were tied to people and groups in Las Vegas from outside the area.

Meth at Harry Reid airport

Sigal Chattah of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Nevada pointed to the recent indictment of a woman arrested at Harry Reid International Airport with 50 pounds of methamphetamine in her checked luggage, KTNV reported. Officials did not name her in the coverage. For more on reported cartel activity in the state, see our Nevada page.

Sources

KTNV: “Las Vegas Homeland Security Task Force announces 144 arrests from operation ‘Loaded Dice'” (Oct. 8, 2026)
KSNV News 3: “Operation Loaded Dice nets 144 arrests, seizes drugs, guns and cash bound for cartels” (Oct. 8, 2026)
Photos: Homeland Security Task Force (U.S. Department of Homeland Security) slides, via KSNV News 3; U.S. government work, public domain.

Reported Oct. 8, 2026, from KTNV and KSNV coverage of an HSI-led news conference in Las Vegas. No one arrested was named in that coverage, and the stations’ cash totals differ. Arrests are not convictions; everyone charged is presumed innocent.