A major drug investigation at Penn State University has resulted in charges against 14 people connected to an alleged cocaine trafficking operation.
Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday announced charges against 13 current or former Penn State students and the father of one former student. Authorities allege the operation involved members of the Delta Upsilon and Sigma Chi fraternities.
According to prosecutors, two alleged suppliers regularly traveled to Philadelphia and New York to obtain large quantities of cocaine. The drugs were then allegedly cut and packaged primarily inside off-campus fraternity houses before being distributed to Penn State students.
One of the most disturbing allegations is that some fraternity pledges were required to cut and bag cocaine as part of their initiation process.
Authorities have described Agostino Abbatiello and Thomas Robinson as two of the alleged main suppliers. The charges against the defendants range from misdemeanors to felony offenses, including conspiracy and corrupt organizations charges. The accusations have not been proven in court.
Penn State said it was “horrified” by the allegations and is cooperating with law enforcement. Delta Upsilon has been placed on interim suspension by the university, while Sigma Chi is no longer officially recognized by Penn State.