A Hernando man now confronts several drug trafficking charges after Citrus County deputies confiscated more than a pound of narcotics from his residence over the weekend.
On Saturday, September 19, 2026, the Citrus County Sheriff’s Office Special Investigations Unit, supported by the SWAT team, executed a search warrant at a home located at 2851 N. Bucknell Terrace.
Sheriff’s officials reported that deputies arrived at the property and issued repeated loudspeaker announcements directing anyone inside to exit. After several unanswered commands, SWAT team members forced entry into the home. Once inside, deputies located 59-year-old Paul Michael Sawka and took him into custody without further incident.
A subsequent search conducted by detectives uncovered multiple types of narcotics throughout the residence. Investigators seized 434.5 grams of methamphetamine, 24 grams of fentanyl, 19.5 grams of cocaine, and 6.7 grams of cannabis. Detectives also recovered prescription pills, including 14 Clonazepam tablets, one Alprazolam tablet, and one Oxycodone Hydrochloride tablet, along with various pieces of drug paraphernalia.
Law enforcement arrested Sawka at the scene. He faces charges of trafficking in methamphetamine over 200 grams, trafficking in fentanyl over 4 grams, possession with intent to sell a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, and owning, leasing, or renting a property with knowledge that it was being used to traffic controlled substances.
Citrus County Sheriff David Vincent commented on the operation following the raid.
“These dangerous drugs have no place in our neighborhoods, and we’re committed to doing everything we can to keep them out of Citrus County,” Vincent said. “The swift efforts of our Special Investigations Unit prevented these substances from spreading further into our community. We will keep directing our resources towards stopping trafficking operations wherever they emerge, ensuring our residents remain protected.”
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