Fraternity pledges made to cut cocaine as "indoctrination"—attorney
Pennsylvania State University fraternity pledges were allegedly enlisted to cut and package cocaine as an "indoctrination," and 14 people have now been charged over a drug-trafficking operation, prosecutors said.
Thirteen of those charged were current or former Penn State students, while the 14th was the father of one of the alleged participants.
Authorities said the operation involved members and pledges of the Sigma Chi and Delta Upsilon fraternities, with most of the alleged activity occurring in 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," Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday said in a news release on Monday. "In fact, according to the evidence uncovered, cutting and packaging cocaine was, for some pledges, an indoctrination into the fraternities."
Prosecutors named Agostino Abbatiello and Thomas Robinson as the operation's principal suppliers. The pair is accused of regularly traveling to New York and Philadelphia to obtain large quantities of cocaine, which authorities said was primarily cut and packaged at the fraternity houses before being distributed mainly to Penn State students.
Penn State placed Delta Upsilon on interim suspension after learning of the charges. Sigma Chi is not recognized by the university and operates outside its oversight, the school said.
The investigation, dubbed "Operation Drugs Unlimited," began in September 2024, when a State College Police Department detective began working with confidential informants to conduct controlled drug purchases. The Pennsylvania Attorney General's Bureau of Narcotics Investigation, State College police and two statewide investigating grand juries later became involved.
Investigators used several methods to trace how the cocaine was obtained, prepared and sold. Most payments were made in cash or through payment apps, prosecutors said. Sunday said the sales largely occurred among friends, fraternity brothers and acquaintances at fraternity houses, parties and other social gatherings. Authorities said they found no evidence that the drugs were packaged on the university's campus.
Abbatiello, Thomas Robinson, Mohammed Huraibi and Lars Zeepvat face charges of "felony corrupt organizations, conspiracy, dealing in proceeds of unlawful activity, and related offenses," prosecutors said. Robert Zanolla was charged with felony conspiracy and criminal use of a communication facility. Eight other student-aged individuals face misdemeanor possession and drug paraphernalia charges.
Paul Robinson, Thomas Robinson's father, is accused of attempting to conceal evidence, including a safe containing drugs and cash. He was charged with felony evidence tampering, hindering apprehension and obstructing the investigation.
The charges are allegations, and each defendant is presumed innocent unless proved guilty.
Five of the six defendants facing felony charges were arraigned on Monday, while an arrest warrant was issued for Abbatiello. Unsecured bail ranged from $250,000 for Zanolla to $1.5 million for Thomas Robinson.
The Pennsylvania Attorney General's Drug Strike Force Section is set to prosecute the case.
Agostino Abbatiello, 24, is described by investigators as the ringleader of the cocaine‑distribution network. A senior member of Sigma Chi, Abbatiello allegedly sat at the top of the supply chain and was considered the primary source of cocaine flowing to Penn State students. Prosecutors say he coordinated bulk purchases in Philadelphia and New York, transported the drugs back to State College, and oversaw cutting and packaging inside fraternity houses. Abbatiello turned himself in and was denied bail at his arraignment.
Thomas Robinson, 23, a senior member of Delta Upsilon, is accused of operating directly beneath Abbatiello in the hierarchy. Prosecutors say Robinson joined Abbatiello on supply runs, helped manage distribution, and participated in the repackaging operation inside the fraternity houses. Robinson faces the same slate of felony charges and was given $1.5 million unsecured bail.
Contact Newsweek editors on this story: Matthew Robinson and Shakeema Edwards.