August 19, 2023 - Riverside County Sheriff’s Office officials report that on Thursday, August 17, 2023, Lake Elsinore Special Enforcement Team and GTF Region 4 served a narcotics-related search warrant on the 33000 block of Adelfa Street, Lake Elsinore. Deputies arrested Paul Puga, a 52-year-old resident of Lake Elsinore, without incident. During a search of the property, deputies, and officers, including K9 units, located the following items:

• Over $20,000 in cash
• 927 M30 pills
• 1 pound methamphetamine
• 2.1 pounds fentanyl
• 15 grams cocaine
• Three non-serialized handguns
• 120 rounds of various ammunition
• One silencer
• Four extended magazines
• One high-capacity rifle magazine

Puga was transported and booked into the Cois Byrd Detention Center for the following charges: felon in possession of a firearm, felon in possession of ammunition, possession of fentanyl for sale, possession of narcotics for sale, possession of a silencer, concealing controlled substances in a false compartment, and bringing narcotics into the jail.

This is an ongoing investigation. Anyone with additional information is encouraged to contact Deputy Hibbler at the Lake Elsinore Sheriff’s Station at (951) 245–3300.

As a reminder, “Community Policing” involves partnerships between law enforcement and community members. Business owners and residents are encouraged to report criminal activity directly to law enforcement by calling Sheriff’s Dispatch at (951) 776–1099 or 911 if the matter is an emergency.

Reporting Deputy: Sergeant Robert Thomas

File # F23229007

Source: Riverside County Sheriff’s Office