Pennsylvania Attorney General Addresses Cocaine Trafficking Allegations at Penn State

Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday has addressed the potential for legal action against Penn State University following the discovery of an alleged cocaine trafficking network operating through the university’s fraternities. Authorities have reported that around 1 kilogram of cocaine was distributed through this operation approximately every other month, described by Sunday as an “upper-level trafficking organization.”

“This was a very sophisticated endeavor,” Sunday stated during a news conference. “This wasn’t just a couple of kids at college who were sharing drugs with each other.”

Alongside Penn State’s involvement, Sunday’s concerns were echoed with the arrest of an individual suspected of running a meth lab at Michigan State University’s largest academic building.

The organization allegedly involved several Penn State fraternities and students. A total of 14 individuals, including current and former students, now face felony or misdemeanor charges related to illegal activities conducted within the timeframe of 2023 to 2024. Prosecutors have identified Agostino Abbatiello, 24, and Thomas Robinson, 23, as the suspected leaders of the operation. These alleged kingpins would frequently travel to Philadelphia and New York to acquire “large quantities” of powder cocaine, coordinating deals through social media and handling payments via digital platforms.

“As the attorney general, I have a lot of concern when organizations like this run for as long as they did,” Sunday stated in an interview with Fox News.

Investigations suggest that pledges from Delta Upsilon and Sigma Chi fraternities were instructed to cut and package cocaine during their initiation, with peer pressure playing a significant role.

“When you’re young, peer pressure is one of the most powerful forms of motivation in the world,” Sunday commented, acknowledging it as a factor in their involvement, though not an excuse.

Penn State expressed shock and dismay at the allegations, placing Delta Upsilon on interim suspension. The university currently does not recognize Sigma Chi due to its operations beyond the university’s oversight. This case adds to the university’s troubled history with fraternity-related incidents, including a 2017 case involving the death of a 19-year-old student during a hazing event.

When questioned about further action against the university, Sunday remarked, “My hope is that Penn State will take the appropriate actions under these circumstances.” He noted that the university has been open to collaboration in addressing such issues.

Nora Moriarty contributed this report for Fox News Digital.