Penn State fraternity brothers charged with running cocaine trafficking ring

The Pennsylvania Attorney General's office announced Monday that more than a dozen fraternity brothers at Penn State University have been charged with allegedly operating a cocaine trafficking ring.

Prosecutors said 13 of the 14 people charged were Penn State students at or around the time of the alleged drug trafficking ring from around 2023 to 2024, and the other person was the father of a student. The father has been accused of trying to conceal evidence and obstruct the investigation, according to CBS News.

"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 Dave Sunday said in a statement. "In fact, according to the evidence uncovered, cutting and packaging cocaine was, for some pledges, an indoctrination into the fraternities."  

The operation involved fraternity brothers from the Delta Upsilon and Sigma Chi fraternity houses, which is where the cocaine was packaged before it was distributed. The drugs were mostly trafficked to other Penn State students.

The attorney general's office identified Agostino Abbatiello and Thomas Robinson as the main suppliers who made regular trips to Philadelphia and New York for "large quantities" of cocaine.

Penn State said in a statement that Delta Upsilon will be placed on interim suspension, but that it does not recognize Sigma Chi as an organization, and it operates outside the university's oversight, CBS News reported.

Abbatiello, Robinson, Mohammed Hurabi and Lars Zeepvat are facing several felony charges, including corrupt organizations, conspiracy and dealing in proceeds of unlawful activity. 

Robert Zanolla is charged with felony conspiracy and criminal use of a communication facility.

Eight other fraternity brothers have been charged with misdemeanors.

Misty Severi is a news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.