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Fourteen people have been charged over an alleged cocaine-trafficking operation at Penn State University.
Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday announced in a statement that 13 of the defendants were students at the time this happened in 2023 and 2024. The 14th defendant, the father of one of the students, is accused of hiding drugs and cash in a safe.
Authorities say at least four of the individuals charged are current students.
Investigators allege that senior fraternity members Agostino Abbatiello and Thomas Robinson were the leaders of the operation, supplying cocaine, while others cut and packaged the drugs primarily at the Delta Upsilon and Sigma Chi fraternity houses.
Fourteen people have been charged in connection with an alleged cocaine trafficking ring tied to Penn State University frats Delta Upsilon and Sigma Chi.
The two are charged with making regular trips to Philadelphia and New York for large quantities of cocaine between 2023 and 2024.
"This was a coordinated and highly profitable drug-trafficking crew revolving around two senior members of the fraternities, other fraternity brothers, and pledges,"
Attorney General Sunday said. "In fact, according to the evidence uncovered, cutting and packaging cocaine was, for some pledges, an indoctrination into the fraternities."
Law enforcement says they used a variety of tactics to track the individuals involved and how the cocaine was obtained, packaged, and sold, adding that most of the payments were made in cash or via payment apps.
Abbatiello, Robinson, Mohammed Hurabi and Lars Zeepvat are charged with felony corrupt organizations, conspiracy, dealing in proceeds of unlawful activity, and related offenses.
A fifth defendant, Robert Zanolla, is charged with felony conspiracy, criminal use of a communication facility, and related misdemeanor offenses.
The father, Paul Robinson, is charged with tampering with evidence and hindering the investigation.
The remaining defendants, all of whom are student-aged, are facing misdemeanor counts of possession of paraphernalia.
According to investigators, the cocaine was distributed to Penn State students.
