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4 clusters · 15 sources · 15 days · First seen · Last updated

Penn State fraternity cocaine trafficking investigation

Overview

Authorities have charged 14 individuals, including current and former Penn State University students, in connection with a large-scale cocaine trafficking operation known as ‘Operation Drugs Unlimited’. The investigation, conducted by the State College Police Department and the 54th Statewide Investigating Grand Jury, alleges that a coordinated crew operated out of fraternity houses during 2023 and 2024, using Snapchat and cash-transfer applications to facilitate sales.

Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday announced that the operation functioned as a profitable drug-trafficking crew. Prosecutors identified 24-year-old Agostino Abbatiello, a former accounting student and Sigma Chi member, and Thomas Robinson as primary suppliers who allegedly traveled to Philadelphia and New York to procure cocaine. Abbatiello, who was reportedly dubbed ‘Pablo Pledgescobar’ by some, is described by prosecutors as being ‘at the very top of the chain’. Investigators allege the ring received over $123,500 in payments.

The drugs were reportedly cut and packaged at the Delta Upsilon and Sigma Chi fraternity houses. Prosecutors alleged that for certain fraternity pledges, the process of cutting and packaging cocaine was used as a method of ‘indoctrination’ into the organizations.

Of the 14 defendants, 13 were students at the time of the alleged conduct. The 14th defendant, the father of a student, faces charges for tampering with evidence and hindering the investigation. Abbatiello, Robinson, Mohammed Hurabi, and Lars Zeepvat face felony charges including corrupt organizations and conspiracy. While Abbatiello was initially denied bail after failing to appear for an arraignment, a judge later ruled that charges against him could proceed, and he has since been released on bail. Other defendants, including Paul Robinson, Muhammad Huraibi, and Robert Zanolla, have been involved in the legal process, with some waiving preliminary hearings.

Entities

Agostino Abbatiello · Sigma Chi · Penn State University · Dave Sunday · Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General

Timeline

  1. 9 days ago

    [CRIME] 4 sources
    Agostino Abbatiello faces charges in alleged Penn State cocaine ring

    Agostino Abbatiello, accused of leading a cocaine trafficking ring at Penn State University involving fraternities, has appeared in court and been released on bail.

  2. 19 days ago

    [CRIME] 5 sources
    Pennsylvania officials charge 14 in Penn State fraternity cocaine ring

    Fourteen people, including Penn State University students, face charges in a cocaine-trafficking operation allegedly centered around the Sigma Chi and Delta Upsilon fraternities.

  3. 21 days ago

    [CRIME] 2 sources
    Penn State students arrested in alleged fraternity cocaine ring

    Fourteen people, including Penn State students, face charges in a cocaine trafficking ring allegedly operated through fraternities using social media and cash-transfer apps.

  4. 24 days ago

    [CRIME] 4 sources
    Agostino Abbatiello charged in Penn State fraternity cocaine ring

    Agostino Abbatiello has surrendered to face felony charges for allegedly leading a cocaine-trafficking ring operating out of Penn State fraternity houses.

Sources

abc11.com · anglophone-direct.com · ca.sports.yahoo.com · cremation.com · extra.ec · freerepublic.com · globalmma.org · ibtimes.co.uk · nypost.com · onwardstate.com · pulptastic.com · socialnews.xyz · thepulseofnh.com · triblive.com · usmagazine.com

This summary has been updated 2 times: see revision history