Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday stated that his office is awaiting further action from Penn State University following the discovery of an alleged sophisticated cocaine trafficking ring that operated through the university's fraternities.
Authorities have charged 14 individuals, including current and former Penn State students, in connection with the operation, which allegedly moved about 1 kilogram of cocaine every other month between 2023 and 2024. Sunday described the organization as an "upper-level trafficking organization" that was "very sophisticated" and not simply a matter of students sharing drugs.
Agostino Abbatiello, 24, and Thomas Robinson, 23, have been identified as the suspected ringleaders. According to prosecutors, they made regular trips to Philadelphia and New York to obtain cocaine, arranged deals via Snapchat, and accepted payments through Venmo.
Sunday indicated that pledges at the Delta Upsilon and Sigma Chi fraternities were allegedly instructed to cut and package cocaine as part of their initiation, citing peer pressure as a significant factor in their involvement. He expressed concern about the longevity of such organizations and the serious nature of the illicit activity.
Penn State issued a statement expressing horror at the accusations and placed the Delta Upsilon fraternity on interim suspension. The university does not recognize Sigma Chi, as it operates independently of university oversight.
The investigation and subsequent charges come nearly a decade after a prior fraternity-related incident at Penn State in 2017, in which 19-year-old Tim Piazza died following a hazing incident at the Beta Theta Pi fraternity.
When asked about potential actions against the university, Sunday stated his hope that Penn State will take appropriate measures. "My hope is that Penn State will take the appropriate actions under these circumstances," he said. He also noted the university's openness to collaboration, expressing belief that they can collectively work to remedy such issues. Mentioned in the report: Penn State University, Delta Upsilon, Sigma Chi, Beta Theta Pi.