Federal task force announces 144 arrests in 'Operation Loaded Dice,' citing ties to Jalisco and Sinaloa cartels

What happened

A federal law enforcement task force held a press conference in Las Vegas on Thursday afternoon to announce 144 arrests in an effort called "Operation Loaded Dice," the Las Vegas Review-Journal reported. Officials described it as a multi-agency push against trafficking, illegal firearms, bulk currency and contraband.

The announcement came from the Las Vegas Homeland Security Task Force, known as HSTF, along with federal, state and local partners. According to the Review-Journal, officials said the arrests have connections to the Jalisco New Generation and Sinaloa cartels.

What officials say was seized

Officials reported the seizure of more than $1 million in assets, 290 firearms and more than 2,400 pounds of narcotics, including cocaine, methamphetamine and fentanyl. They also provided a more detailed breakdown of the weapons and drugs, the Review-Journal reported.

Weapons

According to officials, the operation netted 265 firearms, 2 ghost guns, 18 machine gun conversion devices and five other weapons.

Drugs

Officials said they seized more than 540 pounds of cocaine, 189 pounds of fentanyl, 397 pounds of methamphetamine, 865 pounds of marijuana and 458 pounds of other narcotics. Erin Burke, special agent in charge at the Homeland Security Investigations office in Los Angeles, said the numbers represent drugs and guns taken off the streets and the disruption of criminal groups.

Who was arrested and where

Of the 144 arrests, federal officials said 123 were at the state level. Officials told the Review-Journal that while some arrests happened locally, many took place outside the area but involved people or organizations with connections to Las Vegas.

Federal officials also said many of those arrested held sergeant and lieutenant leadership roles within the criminal organizations. Sigal Chattah, the first assistant U.S. attorney for the District of Nevada, said her office secured an indictment the day before the announcement against a person accused of attempting to transport 50 pounds of methamphetamine through Harry Reid International Airport.

Agencies involved

The partnership includes the FBI, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the U.S. Department of State, the Internal Revenue Service, the Federal Air Marshal Service and the U.S. Marshals Service. Burke also credited the Metropolitan Police Department, Henderson Police Department, North Las Vegas Police Department, Washoe County Sheriff's Office, Nye County Sheriff's Office and other local agencies.

What prosecutors and investigators said

"No single agency can confront these criminal organizations alone," Burke said, according to the Review-Journal. She said working together removes jurisdictional barriers and strengthens investigations.

Earlier takedowns and cartel finances

Chattah said earlier HSTF takedowns led by the Las Vegas unit produced seizures of over 30,000 fentanyl pills, along with pure fentanyl powder, heroin and illegal firearms. "We tell our children that one pill could kill," she said, the Review-Journal reported.

Chattah also stressed going after cartel money through asset forfeiture. She said many top leaders live outside the United States and that her office works with Justice Department international affairs investigators to coordinate with foreign governments and extradite high-level cartel figures to face trial in the U.S.

Burke said the announced results are not the end of the case. "Our intention is to start from the bottom and keep going up until we’re taking down cartel leaders," she said. More coverage of local law enforcement is available in our public safety section.

What to watch next

• Burke said the operation is expected to spur many more HSTF cases aimed at moving up the cartels' leadership ladder.
• The federal case tied to the alleged attempt to move 50 pounds of methamphetamine through Harry Reid International Airport, following the indictment announced by the U.S. Attorney's Office.
• Prosecutors' stated goal of pursuing asset forfeiture against cartel finances and extraditing high-level cartel figures for trial in the U.S.