A Dominican Republic citizen, Santos Castro-Mota, was sentenced on Mar. 12 to eight years in federal prison for his role in a cocaine trafficking organization while serving a state sentence, according to United States Attorney Troy Rivetti.
The case highlights ongoing efforts by law enforcement to disrupt drug trafficking operations that extend into correctional facilities and involve multiple conspirators. Castro-Mota will also serve four years of supervised release following his imprisonment and is set to be deported after completing his sentence.
According to information presented in court, Castro-Mota communicated with Aliquippa drug trafficker Kijana Lowe while incarcerated at State Correctional Institution Phoenix. Recordings revealed that Lowe ordered kilogram quantities of cocaine from Castro-Mota, who then directed another co-defendant, referred to as “the mechanic,” to deliver the drugs. The investigation found that Lowe supplied the drugs further down the chain for street-level distribution.
In November 2021, investigators observed an attempted delivery of nearly 10 kilograms of cocaine outside a Coraopolis motel. Law enforcement detained those involved and seized both the drugs and over $280,000 intended for their purchase. Digital evidence from cell phones linked Castro-Mota directly to the conspiracy.
Before sentencing, United States District Judge William S. Stickman IV said that Castro-Mota entered the country illegally and continued criminal activity: “Repeat offenders don’t get a discount; they get an enhancement.” The judge denied a request for concurrent sentencing with Castro-Mota’s undischarged state sentence and described him as the “point person for the distribution of an enormous amount” of drugs into the district.
Castro-Mota’s co-defendants have also been sentenced: Kijana Lowe received ten years in prison and Anthony Tusweet Smith Jr. received five years for their roles in the conspiracy. Assistant United States Attorney Brendan J. McKenna and Special Assistant United States Attorney Kara Cotter prosecuted the case.
United States Attorney Rivetti commended both the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General and Drug Enforcement Administration for their work on this investigation.
