Mohave County Sheriff’s deputies arrested Aidan Avery, 43, of St. George, Utah, and Raul Herrera, 21, of Las Vegas, Nevada, on Thursday evening. Avery was arrested for possession of dangerous drugs and possession of drug paraphernalia, felonies. Herrera was arrested for possession of prescription only drugs, a misdemeanor.
Deputies observed a vehicle parked in an area off of Interstate 15 at exit 27. Deputies initially observed the vehicle parked behind an abandoned building with its parking lights on. As deputies continued to patrol the area, they observed the vehicles lights were turned off. Approximately 8:10 p.m., deputies approached the vehicle and observed two occupants in the vehicle. Deputies contacted Avery, the driver, and Herrera, the passenger.
Avery claimed that he was driving his friend to Las Vegas and he had gotten tired after driving from St. George, so he stopped to rest. Deputies knew that St. George, Utah, was not that far away. Deputies questioned Avery about having anything illegal and Avery began to get nervous. A St. George Police Department K9 Handler responded and assisted. The K9 Handler deployed his K9 to conduct a free air sniff of the vehicle. The K9 alerted his handler to the vehicle.
A search of the vehicle revealed a plastic bag containing a white crystal substance, a spoon and a syringe with liquid. Avery was taken into custody without incident. Deputies also located a tin canister containing three pills identified as prescription pills located under Herrera’s front passenger seat. During conversations with Herrera, he said that he does not have a prescription for the pills. Herrera was taken into custody without incident. They were transported and booked into the Washington County Jail. The vehicle was towed from the scene.