Charges have been filed against 14 individuals in Pennsylvania in connection with a cocaine trafficking ring involving two fraternities and students, according to the state Attorney General's Office. Thirteen of the defendants were Penn State University students at or around the time of the alleged crimes in 2023 and 2024. Four defendants face felony charges of corrupt organizations, conspiracy, and other offenses, while a fifth is charged with felony conspiracy and other crimes. Eight other student-aged defendants are charged with misdemeanor counts, such as possession. One defendant, the father of a student, is accused of tampering with evidence and hindering the investigation.
Two defendants, identified as the main suppliers, made routine trips to Philadelphia and New York to obtain large amounts of cocaine. The cocaine was then packaged primarily at the Sigma Chi and Delta Upsilon fraternity houses and distributed mainly to Penn State students. Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday stated, "This is very serious criminal conduct. There was nothing junior or childlike about this type of conduct. This was an upper level trafficking organization for this region in Pennsylvania."
Sunday noted that fraternity brothers packaged the cocaine and that authorities found a pattern of pledges being indoctrinated into both fraternities through cutting and bagging cocaine. Investigators did not receive information about drugs being packaged on the Penn State campus. Delta Upsilon Executive Director Justin Kirk said in a statement that the international fraternity was aware of the allegations and that those involved who had ties to Delta Upsilon were expelled or suspended if they did not resign. He added, "We will continue to work closely with the university on any investigative efforts." The Sigma Chi headquarters in Evanston, Illinois, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The majority of defendants facing felony charges were arraigned Monday morning, according to Sunday. This case marks a significant step in the fight against drug trafficking in Pennsylvania.