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13 Penn State frat brothers charged with running major cocaine trafficing ring with the kingpin dubbed 'Pablo Pledgescobar'
Fourteen people, including 13 current or former students, have been charged over an alleged cocaine trafficking operation linked to fraternities at Pennsylvania State University, with a man nicknamed “Pablo Pledgescobar” the alleged kingpin at the very center of the organization.
Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday announced the charges on Monday, accusing the group of running a drug operation during 2023 and 2024. The 14th defendant is the father of one of the students and is accused of concealing drugs and cash inside a safe.
Authorities release information on the University drug traffickers
Authorities said at least four of those charged remain Penn State students.
Investigators allege fraternity members Agostino Abbatiello, given the alias “Pablo Pledgescobar”, and Thomas Robinson, were at the center of the operation, allegedly sourcing cocaine and arranging its distribution.
Prosecutors claim the drugs were cut, packaged and prepared for sale primarily inside the Delta Upsilon and Sigma Chi fraternity houses.
The pair allegedly regularly repeated journeys to Philadelphia and New York to obtain large quantities of cocaine, which was then sold to students at Penn State.
“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 Sunday said.
“In fact, according to the evidence uncovered, cutting and packaging cocaine was, for some pledges, an indoctrination into the fraternities.”
The nickname given to the alleged leader
The alleged operation has prompted the nickname “Pablo Pledgescobar” for the purported kingpin.
Investigators said they used multiple methods to establish how the cocaine was sourced, prepared and distributed, with payments allegedly being made largely through cash and payment apps.
Abbatiello, Robinson, Mohammed Hurabi and Lars Zeepvat are facing felony charges including corrupt organizations, conspiracy and dealing in proceeds of unlawful activity, alongside other alleged offenses.
Robert Zanolla is charged with felony conspiracy and criminal use of a communication facility, as well as misdemeanor offenses.
The father of one of the accused students, Paul Robinson, has been charged with allegedly tampering with evidence and hindering the investigation.
The other defendants, who are all around student age, face misdemeanor charges relating to drug possession and paraphernalia.
According to investigators, the cocaine was mostly sold to Penn State students.
Penn State said it was “horrified” by the allegations and announced that Delta Upsilon had been placed on interim suspension while the university conducts its own investigation.
Sigma Chi, meanwhile, is not currently a recognised university organisation and therefore operates outside Penn State's official oversight.
Andrea Dowhower, the university's vice president for Student Affairs, said: “We are horrified by these serious allegations against current and former students.”
“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.”
The university said current students involved in the case would face its own student conduct proceedings, separate from the criminal charges brought by law enforcement.
Penn State added that disciplinary measures could include “permanent separation from the University” for students and organizations found responsible for misconduct.
The university also said it plans to increase educational efforts surrounding student safety and hazing prevention, particularly during the opening weeks of the semester.