14 Charged In Penn State Drug Ring That Allegedly Made Pledges Cut And Bag Cocaine

Interesting drug trafficking, fraternity, penn state, pennsylvania admin August 17, 2026 0 Comments

14 Charged In Penn State Drug Ring That Allegedly Made Pledges Cut And Bag Cocaine

Fourteen people ran a cocaine operation out of two Penn State fraternity houses, supplying the drug to fellow students for roughly two years, Pennsylvania prosecutors alleged Monday.

Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday announced the charges alongside the State College Police Department, according to his office.

Thirteen of those accused attended Penn State at or near the time of the alleged activity in 2023 and 2024, and the remaining defendant is the father of a student, charged with tampering with evidence and obstructing the probe. Sunday’s office later confirmed that at least four of those charged are current students.

Agostino Abbatiello and Thomas Robinson supplied the group with drugs, traveling to Philadelphia and New York to bring back large amounts of cocaine, the attorney general’s office said. Members and pledges of Delta Upsilon and Sigma Chi then cut and bagged the drug at the two houses before selling it to classmates. (RELATED: EXCLUSIVE: Coast Guard Declares ‘We Own The Sea’ After Seizing 225,000 Pounds Of Cocaine In Pacific Viper Operation)

“This was a coordinated and highly-profitable drug-trafficking crew revolving around two senior members of the fraternities, other fraternity brothers, and pledges,” Sunday said in a statement released by his office. “In fact, according to the evidence uncovered, cutting and packaging cocaine was, for some pledges, an indoctrination into the fraternities.”

Investigators opened the case, named Operation Drugs Unlimited, in September 2024, when a State College detective used confidential informants to buy from both houses, StateCollege.com reported. Two statewide grand juries reviewed the evidence.

Sunday declined to say whether hazing charges would follow, according to the Pennsylvania Capital-Star.

Abbatiello, Robinson, Mohammed Hurabi and Lars Zeepvat face felony counts of corrupt organizations, conspiracy and dealing in proceeds of unlawful activity, according to the attorney general’s office. Robert Zanolla is charged with felony conspiracy and criminal use of a communication facility. Eight others face misdemeanors. Paul Robinson, the student’s father, allegedly hid a safe holding drugs and cash.

Penn State has placed Delta Upsilon on interim suspension and said Sigma Chi operates without university recognition, WJAC reported. “We are horrified by these serious allegations against current and former students,” said Andrea Dowhower, vice president for Student Affairs. “Criminal activity, including hazing, such as this has no place at our institution, and we will cooperate with law enforcement in any way we can.”