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See the full story · 3 sourcesState officials accused current and former Penn State students of packaging cocaine at fraternity houses and then selling it to their peers
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An inside look into one of the Pennsylvania State University fraternity houses at the center of an alleged cocaine trafficking ring has been shared on TikTok.
State officials announced charges against 13 current and former Penn State students and the father of one of the accused on Monday in connection with a drug operation conducted from 2023 to 2024.
The main suppliers for the operation — former students Agostino Abbatiello from the Sigma Chi fraternity and Thomas Robinson from the Delta Upsilon fraternity — would make regular trips to Philadelphia and New York for large amounts of cocaine, according to the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office.
The cocaine was then cut and packaged, primarily at the Sigma Chi and Delta Upsilon fraternity houses, and sold to other Penn State students, according to officials.
Hours after the bust was announced, the ride-sharing app Fetii shared a house tour from Penn State’s Sigma Chi filmed by fraternity brothers on TikTok.
The brothers showed off the main floor of the house, which they said is called “Great Hall.”
“We’ll have most of our main floor parties, we’ll have Wine Wednesday, we’ll have most of our big events right here,” one of the brothers said.
They also gave a glimpse into their dining room, mentioning an in-house chef who cooks for them during the week, and their basement, where they also throw parties and host weekly chapter meetings.
The brothers then took the camera outside to what they called “by far the biggest yard in State College.”
“We just have a bunch of brothers out enjoying the day,” one of the brothers said.
Officials said some fraternity pledges were forced to help in the drug trafficking operation.
“This was a coordinated and highly-profitable drug-trafficking crew revolving around two senior members of the fraternities, other fraternity brothers, and pledges,” Attorney General Dave Sunday said in a statement .
“In fact, according to the evidence uncovered, cutting and packaging cocaine was, for some pledges, an indoctrination into the fraternities.”
Abbatiello, Robinson, and two others, Mohammed Hurabi and Lars Zeepvat, face charges including felony corrupt organizations, conspiracy and dealing in proceeds of unlawful activity.
Another person, Robert Zanolla, is also facing serious charges of felony conspiracy and criminal use of a communication facility.
Eight other suspects in the operation are facing misdemeanor counts of possession and paraphernalia.
The father who was charged, Paul Robinson, was accused of felony tampering, hindering apprehension for taking steps to conceal evidence and obstructing the investigation.
Penn State announced Monday that it placed Delta Upsilon on an interim suspension following the allegations. The University noted that Sigma Chi is not a recognized organization and operates outside of its oversight. Penn State said it would also investigate allegations against current students.
“We are horrified by these serious allegations against current and former students,” Andrea Dowhower, vice president for Student Affairs, said in a statement .
“Criminal activity, including hazing, such as this has no place at our institution, and we will cooperate with law enforcement in any way we can. We will continue to enhance our efforts around health and safety and hazing educational efforts for all our organizations.”
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