Fourteen people, including 13 current or former Penn State University students, are facing charges for operating a large and highly organized cocaine trafficking network tied to two off-campus Greek organizations.
Led by senior fraternity members, the operation took place between 2023 and 2024, using two fraternity houses as hubs to process and store kilograms of cocaine brought in from major cities.
Investigators say that pledges were even forced to take part in cutting and packaging the drugs as part of a twisted “indoctrination” ritual.
The Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General identified 24-year-old Agostino Abbatiello and 23-year-old Thomas Robinson as the main suppliers and leaders of the group.
The two allegedly made regular trips to New York City and Philadelphia to buy cocaine in bulk, transporting it back to State College to sell mainly to Penn State students, with payments handled in cash or through digital apps.
Abbatiello turned himself in on August 18, 2026, and was denied bail. The two fraternities, Delta Upsilon and Sigma Chi, played a central role, serving as the main facilities for weighing, cutting, and packaging the drugs.
Attorney General Dave Sunday said the ring operated like a corporation, with pledges forced to work as part of their initiation.
The only person charged who wasn’t a student is Thomas Robinson’s father, Paul Robinson, a practicing attorney who authorities claim was also involved in the scheme.
