Pennsylvania cocaine ring linked to two fraternities, 14 charged
Pennsylvania prosecutors charged 14 people, mostly Penn State students, in a cocaine-trafficking ring linked to two fraternities.
Pennsylvania authorities have filed criminal charges against 14 people in connection with a cocaine-trafficking operation that prosecutors say was run by college students and tied to two fraternities at Penn State University.
The charges, announced Monday by the state Attorney General's Office, name 13 defendants who were students at the university at the time of the alleged offenses in 2023 and 2024. At least four of those charged are current students.
According to prosecutors, two of the defendants acted as primary suppliers, making regular trips to Philadelphia and New York to obtain large quantities of cocaine. The drugs were then packaged primarily at the Sigma Chi and Delta Upsilon fraternity houses and distributed mainly to Penn State students.
Attorney General Dave Sunday described the operation as a serious, upper-level trafficking network for the region, rejecting any suggestion that the conduct was minor or youthful. He said investigators found a pattern in which some pledges were initiated into the fraternities by cutting and bagging cocaine. He also noted that authorities found no evidence of drugs being packaged on the university campus itself.
The charges vary by defendant. Four individuals face felony counts including corrupt organizations and conspiracy, while a fifth faces felony conspiracy and other charges. Eight other student-aged defendants face misdemeanor counts such as possession. One defendant, the father of a student, is accused of tampering with evidence and hindering the investigation.
Delta Upsilon's executive director, Justin Kirk, said the international fraternity was aware of the allegations and had expelled or suspended members with ties to the case who did not resign. He added that the organization would cooperate with university investigative efforts. Sigma Chi's headquarters did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Most of the defendants facing felony charges were arraigned Monday morning, according to the attorney general.