Repeat Drug Trafficker Sentenced to 17 Years in Postal Sting

PHILADELPHIA – Angel Catalino Ivostraza-Torres, 53, of North Philadelphia, PA, was sentenced today to 204 months in federal prison in connection with an undercover investigation conducted by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.  Ivostraza-Torres pleaded guilty on August 11, 2016, to attempted possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine. 

During the investigation, Ivostraza-Torres was caught transporting a U.S. mail package that had contained nearly a kilogram of cocaine hidden inside of a printer.  Ivostraza-Torres delivered the package to an auto detailing business located in the Fairhill section of Philadelphia before being arrested by postal inspectors.  A laboratory test confirmed that the net weight of the cocaine that had been inside the package was 991 grams.  Prior to his arrest in this case, Ivostraza-Torres had been convicted of drug trafficking four other times.

In addition to the prison term of 17 years, U.S. District Court Judge Mitchell S. Goldberg ordered 8 years of supervised release.

This case was investigated by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jerome M. Maiatico and Clare Putnam Pozos