By Tracie Sullivan, for Iron County Today

Three men were recently arrested in Cedar City after an early morning raid by the Iron-Garfield-Beaver Narcotics Task Force.

The raid, which took place Wednesday at a home on Meadowbrook Drive, resulted in the seizure of drugs, cash and weapons and led to multiple felony charges.

Christian Luna-Soto, 26, Ramon Garza Avilez, 28, and Edrei Contreras Duran, 23, were all booked into the Iron County Jail on various drug-related charges.

According to court documents filed in 5th District Court, the task force had been investigating the residence for several months and conducted controlled buys that confirmed drug activity.

“Officers have been investigating this residence for several months and have made controlled purchases,” Luna-Soto’s statement said.

On the morning of the raid, officers executed a search warrant and reportedly found a large quantity of THC vape cartridges, cash and drug paraphernalia in Luna-Soto’s room.

After being read his Miranda rights, Luna-Soto reportedly admitted to possessing the THC products and distributing them to friends and roommates. He is charged with possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute, a third-degree felony, and three misdemeanor counts of possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia.

Avilez’s arrest followed a controlled purchase of methamphetamine that was allegedly made earlier at the residence. During the subsequent search, officers found methamphetamine, a large amount of case, and a machete in his room.

Avilez reportedly admitted he traveled to Las Vegas to buy methamphetamine. He said he shared the methamphetamine with friends instead of selling it.

“He also admitted that he went to Las Vegas to pick up meth and bring it back to Cedar City,” the affidavit states. “He stated that he would never sell meth, but would give it to his friends.”

Avilez is charged with 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.

Additionally, Avilez is in the country illegally and is subject to a deportation ban by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Court documents also show that investigators suspect he has ties to the Surenos street gang.

The Sureños, or “Southerners,” are a coalition of Latin American street gangs that originated in Southern California and have ties to the Mexican Mafia, a powerful prison gang.

The Sureños are known for their involvement in criminal activities such as drug trafficking and violent crimes. They identify themselves with the color blue and the number 13, which represents their loyalty to the Mexican Mafia.

They are widespread in the United States and are rivals of the Norteños (“Northerners”), a coalition of gangs based in Northern California.

Duran, the third suspect, is facing four misdemeanor charges after officers found a THC vape pen, a small bag of cocaine in his room and methamphetamine on the counter. Duran allegedly admitted they were his.

As of Wednesday evening, all three men remained in custody without bail.