Kijana Stephaun Lowe, 27, entered a guilty plea today for conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine and 400 grams or more of fentanyl. Additionally, he pleaded guilty to possessing with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine. This announcement was made by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Pennsylvania.
The department reported that a joint investigation was conducted in Beaver County by federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies under the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) program. The investigation focused on a drug trafficking organization, in which Lowe was involved.
During the investigation, it was found that Lowe had regular communication with a co-defendant who was serving time at the State Correctional Institution Phoenix.
According to prison call recordings, it was discovered that Lowe had placed orders for kilogram quantities of cocaine and fentanyl from the inmate. Subsequently, the inmate instructed another co-defendant to deliver the drugs to Lowe.
According to the department, Lowe then provided the drugs to another co-defendant, who sold them to the end users.
Law enforcement became aware in November 2021 of a planned delivery of kilogram quantities of cocaine to Lowe in the Western District of Pennsylvania.
Investigators carried out a surveillance operation at the Greyhound Bus Station in downtown Pittsburgh on November 8, 2021. During the operation, they observed two co-defendants leaving the station with suitcases and getting into a vehicle driven by a third co-defendant. Surveillance teams then followed the vehicle to a motel in Coraopolis.
Law enforcement simultaneously tracked Lowe from his residence to the same motel. During their investigation, they observed Lowe entering the motel room where the co-defendants were staying. They also witnessed him accepting one of the suitcases that had been transported from the bus station.
Law enforcement took all the individuals into custody and obtained search warrants for the suitcase, the motel room, and Lowe’s vehicle. Upon inspection, the suitcase was found to contain approximately 10 kilograms of cocaine. Additionally, authorities discovered that Lowe’s vehicle contained a sum of over $280,000 in cash, which was intended for the acquisition of the confiscated cocaine, as confirmed by the department.
Investigators also obtained search warrants for the cell phones found in the possession of Lowe and his co-defendants. Through digital extractions, they were able to uncover communications and photographs that provided detailed evidence of their drug trafficking activities, according to the department.
According to the department, Lowe could be sentenced to a minimum of 10 years in prison, with the possibility of a life sentence. Additionally, he may face a fine of up to $10 million. Currently, Lowe is being held by the U.S. Marshals Service until his sentencing.
