{"id":2646154,"date":"2026-08-17T17:00:01","date_gmt":"2026-08-17T21:00:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/former-penn-state-frat-brothers-charged-in-drug-trafficking-case\/"},"modified":"2026-08-17T17:09:18","modified_gmt":"2026-08-17T21:09:18","slug":"former-penn-state-frat-brothers-charged-in-drug-trafficking-case","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/former-penn-state-frat-brothers-charged-in-drug-trafficking-case\/","title":{"rendered":"Former Penn State frat brothers charged in drug trafficking case"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">20<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fformer-penn-state-frat-brothers-charged-in-drug-trafficking-case%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2646154&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Fourteen individuals, including 13 former Penn State students and one student\u2019s father, have been charged in connection with a cocaine trafficking operation centered around two fraternity houses, Delta Upsilon and Sigma Chi. The operation involved cutting and packaging cocaine within these fraternity houses for distribution on campus, with at least four of those charged still students. The main suppliers, fraternity brothers Agostino Abbatiello and Thomas Robinson, traveled between Philadelphia and New York to acquire large quantities of cocaine. other individuals involved include Mohammed Hurabi, Lars Zeepvat, and Robert Zanolla, the latter of whom <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >faces felony conspiracy charges<\/a>. Pennsylvania\u2019s Attorney General described the group as a highly-profitable, organized drug trafficking network, with some pledges being indoctrinated into the operation through involvement in drug handling. Penn State announced that Delta Upsilon would be placed on interim suspension, and Sigma Chi is not recognized as a campus organization. The examination highlights a serious criminal enterprise operating within the university community.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<article class=\"fn-body\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Fourteen people, including 13 former Penn State students, were charged in connection with a <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/drug-trafficking\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"17682\">cocaine trafficking<\/a> ring run out of two <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/fraternities\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"3749\">fraternity<\/a> houses.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Of the 14 charged, one was a father to one of the students, while the remaining 13 were students at the 2023-2024 time frame when the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/judge-tosses-out-nevada-electors-case-over-improper-venue\/\" title=\"Judge dismisses Nevada electors lawsuit due to incorrect venue\">alleged activities occurred<\/a>. At least four of those arrested are still <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/students\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"580\">students<\/a>. The operation was based out of the Delta Upsilon and Sigma Chi fraternity houses, and its target market was Penn State students. The cocaine was allegedly cut and packaged in the two fraternity houses for distribution on campus.<\/p>\n<section class=\"explore-more-section\" id=\"wex-recommended-widget\">\n<div class=\"magazine-container single\">\n<h1 class=\"magazine-title mt-2\">Recommended Stories<\/h1>\n<p>             <i class=\"fa-solid fa-play icon\"><\/i>         <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-grid\">\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/crime\/4689473\/socialist-group-panic-fbi-investigating-again\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Socialist group panics over FBI allegedly investigating it again<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/4688871\/jewish-advocates-maryland-gun-ban-synagogues\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Jewish advocates fear historic Maryland public carry ban disarms synagogues<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/crime\/4688995\/hate-crime-charges-manhattan-synagogue-attack\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Hate crime charges filed after man disrupts Manhattan synagogue service<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThis was a coordinated and highly-profitable drug-trafficking crew revolving around two senior members of the fraternities, other fraternity brothers, and pledges,\u201d <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/pennsylvania\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"629\">Pennsylvania<\/a> Attorney General Dave Sunday said. \u201cIn fact, according to the evidence uncovered, cutting and packaging cocaine was, for some pledges, an indoctrination into the fraternities.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-1\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-1\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-15\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-1\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThere was nothing junior or child-like about this conduct \u2014 this was an upper-level trafficking organization for this region of Pennsylvania,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The main suppliers were identified as fraternity brothers Agostino Abbatiello and Thomas Robinson, who would shuttle between Philadelphia and <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/new-york\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"61\">New York<\/a> for \u201clarge quantities of cocaine.\u201d The duo and two others, Mohammed Hurabi and Lars Zeepvat, were hit with the worst charges \u2014 felony corrupt organizations, conspiracy, dealing in proceeds of unlawful activity, and other related offenses.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/healthcare\/4685254\/treatment-first-trump-administration-addiction-homelessness-solution\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"4685254\">\u2018TREATMENT FIRST\u2019 IS THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION\u2019S SOLUTION TO ADDICTION AND HOMELESSNESS<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-2\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-2\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-16\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-2\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A fifth student, Robert Zanolla, was charged with felony conspiracy and <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/section\/news\/crime\/\" data-type=\"category\" data-id=\"71\">criminal<\/a> use of a communication facility. The remaining eight students face misdemeanor counts of possession and paraphernalia.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Penn State quickly announced that Delta Upsilon would be placed on interim suspension, while Sigma Chi is already not recognized as an organization and operates outside the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/colleges-and-universities\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"3124\">university\u2019s<\/a> oversight.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-3\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-3\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-17\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-3\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>14 charged in Penn State cocaine ring involving fraternity houses<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2653,"featured_media":2646155,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/8ff63bf05d0a4f108488b2aaf5f4a669-scaled-e1786998355506.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[60950,36244,40039,32207,43672],"class_list":["post-2646154","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-campus-crime","tag-drug-trafficking","tag-fraternity","tag-legal-cases","tag-penn-state"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/8ff63bf05d0a4f108488b2aaf5f4a669-scaled-e1786998355506.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2646154","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2653"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2646154"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2646154\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2646158,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2646154\/revisions\/2646158"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2646155"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2646154"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2646154"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2646154"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}