Penn State students charged in fraternity cocaine-trafficking ring

Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday has charged 14 individuals, including 13 current or former Penn State University students, in connection with a “coordinated and highly profitable” cocaine-trafficking operation. The investigation, which took place during 2023 and 2024, centered on the Sigma Chi and Delta Upsilon fraternity houses.

According to court documents, the ring used fraternity pledges as labor to cut and package bulk cocaine obtained from contacts in Philadelphia and New York. Agostino Abbatiello, 24, is accused of leading the operation and was ordered jailed without bail after failing to appear for a scheduled arraignment.

Penn State officials expressed horror at the allegations. Delta Upsilon has been placed on interim suspension pending an investigation by the Office of Student Accountability and Conflict Response. Sigma Chi is not a recognized organization at the university and operates without official oversight. The university is conducting a parallel student conduct process that could result in the permanent separation of involved students from the institution.