PITTSBURGH, PA – Residents from Philadelphia, New York, and Aliquippa, Pennsylvania have been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on charges of violating federal narcotic laws, United States Attorney Cindy K. Chung announced today.
The two-count Indictment, returned on March 8 and unsealed today, named Kijana Stephaun Lowe, age 24, formerly of Aliquippa, PA, Anthony Tusweet Smith, Jr., age 23, of Aliquippa, PA, Santos Castro-Mota, age 42, formerly of Brooklyn, NY, Luis David Paredes-Sanchez, age 25, formerly of Philadelphia, PA, Guillermo Alexis Evangelista Estevez, age 33, formerly of Bow, NY, and Adelin Hernandez Amparo, age 28, formerly of Philadelphia, PA.
According to the Indictment, in and around May of 2021 and continuing thereafter to in and around November of 2021, 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.
Assistant United States Attorney Brendan J. McKenna and Special Assistant United States Attorney Kara Cotter are prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General and the Drug Enforcement Administration conducted the investigation leading to the Indictment in this case.
An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.