More than a dozen Penn State University students ran a cocaine trafficking ring that cut and packaged the drug mainly at two fraternity houses, authorities said on Monday. Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday announced charges on February 3, 2025, against 14 people linked to the alleged operation, as reported by infohub.kz.
According to the indictment, 14 individuals were charged in connection with the criminal group, most of them students and members of two fraternities. The drugs were distributed mainly to Penn State students. The alleged trafficking occurred in 2023 and 2024. Thirteen of the defendants were students during that time, and four are still enrolled.
Investigators said the group had two main suppliers who made regular trips to New York and Philadelphia to obtain large quantities of cocaine. Prosecutors charged four defendants with felony corrupt organizations, conspiracy, dealing in proceeds of unlawful activity, and related offenses. Another defendant faces felony conspiracy and criminal use of a communication facility. Eight student-aged defendants face misdemeanor counts of drug paraphernalia and possession.
The 14th defendant, a student's father, is accused of tampering with evidence and hindering the investigation. Payments were mostly made in cash or through payment apps.
Sunday described the operation as a coordinated and highly profitable drug-trafficking crew involving senior fraternity members, other brothers, and pledges. For some pledges, cutting and packaging cocaine was an initiation into the fraternities. He called it "very serious criminal conduct" and "an upper level trafficking organization for this region in Pennsylvania."
Andrea Dowhower, Penn State's vice president for student affairs, said in a statement: "We are horrified by these serious allegations against current and former students." She emphasized that criminal activity, including hazing, has no place at the institution and that the university will cooperate fully with law enforcement. The university will enhance health, safety, and hazing education programs.
Both fraternities linked to the case are off campus. Delta Upsilon, which was placed on interim probation, said the individuals associated with the fraternity have been expelled, suspended, or resigned. Sigma Chi has not yet commented.