Alleged Penn State Cocaine Ring Leader Surrenders, Denied Bail

Agostino Abbatiello, the alleged leader of a cocaine-trafficking ring at Penn State University, surrendered to authorities on Tuesday morning and was denied bail.

Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday announced charges against 14 people in connection with the operation. Thirteen of the defendants were students at Penn State in 2023 and 2024, with at least four identified as current students. Investigators allege that senior fraternity members Agostino Abbatiello and Thomas Robinson were the main suppliers, making regular trips to Philadelphia and New York for large quantities of cocaine.

The drugs were then cut and packaged primarily at the Delta Upsilon and Sigma Chi fraternity houses. The cocaine was distributed mainly to Penn State University students. Some fraternity pledges were reportedly forced to help in the drug trafficking operation, with cutting and packaging cocaine described as an indoctrination into the fraternities by Attorney General Dave Sunday.

Abbatiello, Robinson, Mohammed Hurabi, and Lars Zeepvat face felony charges including corrupt organizations, conspiracy, and dealing in proceeds of unlawful activity. The eight other student-aged defendants face misdemeanor counts of possession and paraphernalia. The alleged ringleader, Agostino Abbatiello, has been dubbed "Pablo Pledgescobar."