Local drug task force agents arrested three suspects in an early morning raid in Cedar City on Wednesday.
Christian Luna-Soto, 26, Ramon Garza Avilez, 28, and Edrei Contreras Duran, 23, each were booked into Iron County Jail on suspicion of various drug-related charges.
According to the probable cause statements filed with 5th District Court in support of the arrests, agents with the Iron-Garfield-Beaver Narcotics Task Force served a search warrant at a residence on Meadowbrook Drive.
“Agents have been investigating this residence for multiple months and have conducted controlled buys out of the residence,” the affidavit filed against Luna-Soto states. “A traffic stop was made on a white Dodge pickup truck that left the residence.”
During the subsequent search of the residence, agents allegedly found THC vape cartridges and a large quantity of U.S. currency in Luna-Soto’s room, along with a THC smoking device, a marijuana bong and other drug paraphernalia in the residence.
“During a post-Miranda interview, Luna-Soto claimed ownership of all THC products in the residence,” the affidavit alleges. “Luna-Soto also admitted to Agents that he gives THC cartridges to friends and roommates.”
Luna-Soto faces one count of possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute, a third-degree felony, and three misdemeanor charges related to possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia.
Meanwhile, Avilez’s arrest stems from a controlled purchase of methamphetamine allegedly made earlier at the residence.
After obtaining a search warrant, agents allegedly found in Avilez’s room two plastic bags containing methamphetamine, in addition to a “large quantity” of cash and a machete.
According to the affidavit, Avilez admitted to going to Las Vegas to pick up methamphetamine and bring it back to Cedar City.
“He stated he would never (sell) meth but would give it to his friends,” the document states.
According to the affidavit, Avilez is also in the U.S. illegally and is subject to a deportation hold by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. It was also indicated in the charging documents that investigators believe Avilez may be affiliated with the Surenos street gang.
Avilez faces two counts of possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute, a second-degree felony, one count of possession of drug paraphernalia, a class B misdemeanor, and one count of unlawful possession of a dangerous weapon, a class A misdemeanor.
Meanwhile, Duran, the third man arrested, faces four misdemeanor charges related to possession of drugs and paraphernalia. According to the charging document, agents located a THC vape and a small baggie of cocaine in Duran’s room, along with some meth on the kitchen counter that Duran allegedly admitted was his.
As of Wednesday evening, all three men are being held without bail as they await their initial court appearances.
This report is based on statements from court documents and law enforcement officials and may not contain the full scope of findings. Persons arrested or charged are presumed innocent until found guilty in a court of law or as otherwise decided by a trier-of-fact.
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