More than a dozen Penn State frat brothers were busted for running a complex cocaine trafficking ring out of two separate fraternities that forced young pledges to cut and bag the drugs then sold to students, according to prosecutors.
A whopping 14 people — including a Long Island native at the “very top of the chain” — were slapped with charges in connection to the multi-state trafficking scheme. Four of the charged are current Penn State students, while nine are alumni, and one is a dad.
The fraternities, Sigma Chi and Delta Upsilon, reportedly coordinated with suppliers in New York and Philadelphia, trafficking in the coke and distributing it mainly to Penn State students.
“This was a coordinated and highly-profitable drug-trafficking crew revolving around two senior members of the fraternities, other fraternity brothers, and pledges,” Attorney General Dave Sunday said in a statement Monday.
“In fact, according to the evidence uncovered, cutting and packaging cocaine was, for some pledges, an indoctrination into the fraternities.”
Sunday noted during a Monday press conference that 24-year-old Agostino Abbatiello, of Westbury, Nassau County, was “at the very top of the chain.”
Abbatiello and Thomas Robinson — of Sigma Chi and Delta Upsilon fraternities, respectively — were the main suppliers in the scheme, with Abbatiello frequently traveling to New York to acquire large quantities of cocaine between 2023 and 2024, the investigation found.
Abbatiello allegedly distributed cocaine as recently as February 2026, according to court documents.
When he learned law enforcement was interviewing individuals about Penn State drug dealing, he reportedly “begged them not to talk about his involvement.”
The cocaine was cut and packaged primarily at the off-campus Delta Upsilon and Sigma Chi fraternity houses before being distributed mainly to Penn State students.
Abbatiello, Robinson, Mohammed Huraibi, and Lars Zeepvat face felony charges including corrupt organizations, conspiracy, and dealing in proceeds of unlawful activity.
A second Long Islander — Robert Zanolla, 24, of Manhasset — is also charged with felony conspiracy and criminal use of a communication facility.
Also charged, with misdemeanors, are: Liam Smith, Michael Brogno, Kaden Howe, Connor Hurleigh, Seth Beardsley, Kyle Ridpath, Daniel Price, and Charles Wiseman.
Paul Robinson, Thomas’ father, is charged with felony tampering, hindering apprehension for taking steps to conceal evidence, including a safe containing drugs and cash, and obstructing the investigation.
Penn State has since suspended Delta Upsilon while it investigates the frat and said Sigma Chi is not recognized by the university and operates outside its supervision.
“We are horrified by these serious allegations against current and former students,” said Andrea Dowhower, Penn State’s vice president for Student Affairs. “Criminal activity, including hazing, such as this has no place at our institution, and we will cooperate with law enforcement in any way we can. We will continue to enhance our efforts around health and safety and hazing educational efforts for all our organizations.”
https://nypost.com/2026/08/18/us-news/13-penn-state-frat-bros-busted-in-cocaine-trafficking-ringincluding-ny-student-at-top-of-the-food-chain/
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