A Perris resident has been arrested and a Temecula inmate faces additional charges following an investigation into a narcotics smuggling operation at the Cois Byrd Detention Center in Murrieta.
In June 2025, the Riverside Sheriff’s Corrections Investigations Bureau began an investigation into members of the public working with inmates to smuggle narcotics into the Cois Byrd Detention Center via the United States Postal Service.
During the investigation, Cesar Arenas, a 34-year-old resident of Perris, was identified as the suspect who allegedly sent the narcotics. Dale Thomas, a 41-year-old resident of Temecula, was identified as the inmate to whom the narcotics were sent.
On March 20, 2026, a search warrant was served in the 200 block of W. 2nd Street in the City of Perris, where Arenas was located and taken into custody.
During the service of the warrant, a .38 caliber revolver and ammunition were located, according to the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department. It was discovered that Arenas was a convicted felon and was unlawfully in possession of the firearm and ammunition.
Arenas was booked into the Cois Byrd Detention Center for smuggling narcotics into the jail, conspiracy, and firearm-related offenses. Thomas now faces additional charges for smuggling narcotics into the jail and conspiracy.
This investigation was part of the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office’s ongoing mission to prevent narcotics from entering correctional facilities.
