Residents from Philadelphia, New York, and Aliquippa, Pennsylvania have been charged with violating federal narcotic laws. According to a federal grand jury indictment, the defendants conspired to distribute and possess with intent to distribute large quantities of cocaine and fentanyl.
The indictment, returned on March 8 and unsealed today, named Kijana Stephaun Lowe, 24, formerly of Aliquippa, PA, as one of the defendants. The others named in the indictment are Anthony Tusweet Smith, Jr., 23, of Aliquippa, PA, Santos Castro-Mota, 42, formerly of Brooklyn, NY, Luis David Paredes-Sanchez, 25, formerly of Philadelphia, PA, Guillermo Alexis Evangelista Estevez, 33, formerly of Bow, NY, and Adelin Hernandez Amparo, 28, formerly of Philadelphia, PA.
According to the indictment, the defendants conspired to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 5 kilograms or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of cocaine; and 400 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of fentanyl. The indictment further alleged that on or about November 13, 2021, Lowe, Paredes-Sanchez, Estevez, and Amparo, possessed with intent to distribute 5 kilograms or more of a mixture and substance containing detectable amount of cocaine.
The law provides for a term of imprisonment of not less than ten years to a maximum of life, a fine not more than $10,000,000 or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
The investigation leading to the indictment was conducted by the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General and the Drug Enforcement Administration. Assistant United States Attorney Brendan J. McKenna and Special Assistant United States Attorney Kara Cotter are prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. The federal charges carry a sentence of not less than ten years to a maximum of life in prison, along with a fine of not more than $10,000,000.
Kijana Stephaun Lowe, a resident of Aliquippa, Pennsylvania, is charged with violating federal narcotic laws. The indictment alleges that Lowe conspired to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine and fentanyl, along with others. Lowe’s exact sentence or outcome has not been determined.
Related Federal Cases
- Tyrell Wilson, Cocaine Distribution, New Jersey 2021 · New York
- Abdullah Woods, Federal Firearms and Narcotics Violation, Pennsylvania 2020 · New York
- Salvador Alvin, Cocaine Trafficking and Gun Crime, Indiana 2019 · New York
- Cedric Lewis, Possession of Firearms and Narcotics, New Jersey 2020 · New York
- Jaquan Day, Robbery, Maryland 2021 · New York
Key Facts
- State: Pennsylvania
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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