HARRISBURG, PA — A Beaver County man has been sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for his involvement in a drug trafficking organization responsible for distributing significant quantities of cocaine and heroin across the region, Attorney General Dave Sunday announced.
Kijana Lowe, 27, of Aliquippa, pleaded guilty to charges of possession with intent to deliver and conspiracy. His sentencing follows an extensive investigation conducted by the Office of Attorney General in collaboration with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Beaver County HIDTA Group, and the Pennsylvania State Police. The case was prosecuted jointly with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Pennsylvania.
“I am grateful for the hard work and collaboration between our federal, state, and local partners which led to an upper-level drug trafficker being taken off the streets,” Attorney General Sunday said in a statement.
The investigation revealed that in November 2021, Lowe and several co-conspirators traveled to Allegheny County with nearly $300,000 in cash to purchase 10 kilograms of cocaine. Law enforcement intercepted the transaction, seizing the cocaine, the cash, and two bags of heroin during the operation. Lowe was subsequently charged alongside five others.
Sentences for Co-Conspirators
Several other members of the drug trafficking organization have also been sentenced for their roles in the operation.
- Adelin Hernandez Amparo, 31, of the Dominican Republic, received nearly 3½ years in prison with an additional two years of supervised release.
- Anthony “Tusweet” Smith Jr., 24, of Aliquippa, was sentenced to five years in prison followed by four years of supervised release.
Ongoing Cases
The investigation continues as authorities pursue additional co-conspirators.
- Santos Castro-Mota, 42, of Brooklyn, NY, remains incarcerated while awaiting trial.
- Cases against Luis David Paredes Sanchez, 25, of Philadelphia, and Guillermo Alexis Evangelista Estevez, 33, are pending. Both men are currently fugitives.
Senior Deputy Attorney General Kara Cotter and Assistant United States Attorney Brendan J. McKenna jointly prosecuted the case, underscoring the vital collaboration among federal, state, and local agencies to dismantle drug trafficking networks in Pennsylvania.
An arrest, criminal complaint, or charge does not mean someone is guilty. A suspect or defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.
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