A Las Vegas man faces second-degree murder charges after authorities discovered what they believe was a deadly drug manufacturing operation supplying synthetic narcotics to Nevada and California prisons. The shocking arrest Thursday has exposed the dangerous intersection of homemade drugs and mounting violence within the state's correctional system.
Hoza Del Collins, 30, was arrested when investigators served a warrant at his Las Vegas home and discovered synthetic substances believed to be used in creating illegal drugs, according to KTNV. The investigation was led by the Nevada Department of Corrections Office of the Inspector General and the Eastern Nevada Narcotics Task Force.
Deadly Homemade Narcotics Behind Bars
The arrest comes as Nevada correctional facilities grapple with an unprecedented wave of violence linked to drug debts. News 3 Las Vegas reported that NDOC is investigating four inmate deaths as homicides at two state prisons since mid-July. The drugs being supplied to inmates are made from common household items like bug killers and harsh cleaning agents, including RAID and Drano, according to prison officials.
These makeshift narcotics represent a particularly dangerous trend in correctional facilities, where inmates and suppliers create potentially lethal substances from readily available materials. The recent deaths paint a grim picture of conditions inside Nevada's prison system, with three fatalities at High Desert State Prison and one at Southern Desert Correctional Center.
Collins' Background and Charges
Collins previously spent about a year incarcerated in NDOC for burglary from 2017 to 2018, according to KTNV. His intimate knowledge of the prison system may have facilitated his alleged drug supply operation across state lines.
The Las Vegas Review-Journal reported that Collins was charged with felony second-degree murder for supplying substances causing death, felony selling or transporting drugs, and felony related to furnishing controlled substances to state prisoners. He was booked into the Clark County Detention Center and has a court appearance scheduled for Tuesday.
System-Wide Crisis Response
The mounting death toll has prompted significant changes within Nevada's correctional system. In response, NDOC is increasing surveillance and adjusting staff operations to limit the number of inmates outside their cells simultaneously, as detailed by News 3 Las Vegas. Director James Dzurenda announced the formation of committees to address violence and contraband influx, including former inmates, researchers, advocates, and IT experts.
Prison officials are implementing new measures including mail drug detection systems, devices that detect cell phones, and AI tracking. The department is also seeking guidance from outside experts to develop strategies for reducing illegal substances entering the prisons.
Multi-State Investigation
The charges against Collins represent a significant escalation in how authorities are addressing prison drug supply chains. The second-degree murder charge suggests prosecutors believe they can directly link his alleged activities to inmate deaths—a challenging legal standard that could set important precedents.
NDOC officials thanked the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department and California Department of Corrections for assisting in the investigation and arrest, indicating this was part of a broader multi-state effort to combat prison drug trafficking.
