Cocaine College: The Disheartening Story of a Busted Cocaine Ring Being Run Out of Penn State
When you think of students entering college for the first time, what do you usually think of? You usually think of a key opportunity for young minds to be shaped for the future. You usually think of the countless number of directions someone can go to push themselves to new heights with the right amount of education.
The last thing you would probably think of is someone setting up a drug-dealing ring. But, sadly, that’s just what took place in Penn State.
According to reports from the New York Post, authorities have managed to take in more than a dozen individuals that were part of a cocaine-dealing ring at the university, all of whom face potential drug dealing charges. And behind it all is a ringleader, Agostino Abbatiello, a 24-year old who was reportedly behind most of the pick-ups of the product.
The more I read into this, the more disturbing it gets. Apparently Abbatiello’s operation, run alongside another individual named Thomas Robinson, involved picking up cocaine in both New York and Philadelphia, and then bringing it back to the university for distribution. And, apparently, members of both the Delta Upsilon and Sigma Chi fraternities worked together to reportedly cut and package the cocaine for distribution to students across Penn State.
You’ve got to be kidding me.
The report reveals that Abbatiello and Robinson, alongside two additional suspects, Mohammed Hurabi and Lars Zeepvat, apparently face felony corrupt organizations, conspiracy, dealing in proceeds of unlawful activity and related offenses. And apparently Abbatiello took matters to the extreme, even forcing some students to work against their will with distribution using owed money as leverage.
The other suspects, eight “student-aged defendants,” according to the report, will face misdemeanors for possession and paraphernalia. But that’s still disheartening, getting caught up in a drug circle instead of simply trying to better themselves.
Attorney General Dave Sunday talked with Fox News in great detail about the arrests, and what all the suspects were engaging in. “This was a coordinated and highly-profitable drug-trafficking crew revolving around two senior members of the fraternities, other fraternity brothers, and pledges. In fact, according to the evidence uncovered, cutting and packaging cocaine was, for some pledges, an indoctrination into the fraternities.”
I can’t even fathom what the parents would feel to hear that their children got involved with a fraternity that got them involved within a drug-dealing circle. I would not only be absolutely livid, but probably consulting legal services to figure out how something like this could happen to begin with.
Penn State responded to the situation, with vice president for Student Affairs Andrea Dowhower noting, “We are horrified by these serious allegations against current and former students. 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.”
I really hope this is a turning point for the university. Especially when it comes to how fraternities are run. The Delta Upsilon fraternity is on interim suspension pending further investigation, while Sigma Chi is “not a recognized organization and operates outside of the University’s support and oversight.” If I were the local police, however, I would look into how it runs and talk to its organizers.
The bottom line here is that these young people should’ve known better. Absolutely better. Who goes onto a university campus and decides to start something as ridiculous as a drug-dealing circle? And, for that matter, forces others to take part against their will, or in the hopes of joining a fraternity that they’ve been interested in joining? Stories like this have a way of disillusioning someone from going to college, surpassing anything you might have heard about hazing.
All I can hope is that the people involved learn from this, and we never hear of such a ridiculously awful thing like this happening again. Of course, colleges are colleges, so you never know who might have nefarious plans – especially with certain fraternities being involved. My best suggestion? Potential students should talk with their peers and parents to get a better idea of what they’re getting into.
Because, as Abbatiello and his cohorts have proven, you just can’t be sure anymore.
About Michael Letts…
Michael Letts is the Founder, President, and CEO of InVest USA, a national grassroots non-profit organization that is helping hundreds of communities provide thousands of bulletproof vests for their police forces through educational, public relations, sponsorship, and fundraising programs. He also has over 30 years of law enforcement experience under his belt, hence his pro-police stance for his brothers and sisters in blue. Those interested in learning more about Letts can visit his official website here.
