STATE COLLEGE, Pennsylvania — Last week, authorities arrested members of the Sigma Chi and Delta Upsilon fraternities at Penn State University for allegedly running drug operations out of “drug rooms” during parties and subjecting freshmen to hazing that included packaging narcotics.
Thirteen students from the two fraternities were taken into custody for suspected drug trafficking. However, students who mingled with them noted that the use of cocaine and MDMA at end-of-semester celebrations was an open secret at the $21,000-a-year university, which just began its fall semester.
“This is just the tip of the iceberg. It’s part of the culture here. Cocaine use was normal at those parties, especially among freshman guys eager to impress their peers and chat with girls,” one sorority member shared.
“It felt like it was being offered to everyone at the party. You could see people snorting in plain sight. It became so normal.”
The accused fraternities were seen as leaders in the college’s social landscape.
New pledges in 2023 were reportedly made to “pack drugs into half-gram bags for sale,” according to court filings. One freshman involved had a family member who graduated from Sigma Chi.
This particular freshman faced particularly harsh hazing due to his family connection, becoming one of approximately 15 boys involved in these activities.
“He understood the rigorous hazing ritual, but he never imagined it would involve handling and selling drugs,” a source close to him revealed. “He didn’t want to appear weak by saying no, especially since his family history in the frat was at play.”
Sources indicated that new members were also compelled into servitude for older members, carrying out errands, driving, and enduring sexual challenges too crude to describe.
“Honestly, some of these degrading tasks were a brief respite from the other humiliations they faced,” the source added.
In response to the arrests, Agostino Abbatiello was identified as the primary figure in the alleged drug ring by the Pennsylvania Attorney General. Other significant players included Thomas Robinson, Mohammed Huraibi, and Lars Zeepvat, with the scheme reportedly spanning from 2023 into 2024, though Abbatiello’s activities were tracked through February 2026.
Another sorority member, wishing to remain anonymous, often attended their parties. She recounted, “I was thrilled to get in since they had a strong reputation on campus. It wasn’t hard to see they were dealing drugs. I’m actually surprised they weren’t caught sooner.”
“While I never paid for cocaine, you had to go to a specific room, send a Venmo payment to one of the guys, and then you’d get a little bag.”
Disguised as “paint parties,” DAU was notorious for wild MDMA-fueled end-of-semester events. Invitations went out via GroupMe, masking their true nature.
“These Molly parties were intense,” another senior described. “Everyone dressed in white, and neon paint would be splashed on everyone.”
“Under black lights, it made everything look really psychedelic,” she continued. “Friends of the frat members would be taken into a private room to collect Molly. They’d Venmo one of the brothers and receive the drugs along with a giant lollipop to prevent lockjaw. It was obvious who was high by their dilated pupils.”
Penn State, along with the involved fraternities, declined to comment on the allegations.
Authorities pointed out that the frat members were not particularly discreet in their actions. Robinson was reportedly using a Venmo account named “Tom-Robinson” while Abbatiello openly bragged about his earnings from cocaine sales.
This situation paints a negative picture for other fraternities at Penn State. “It reflects poorly on all fraternities, which isn’t fair to the rest of us,” said Xander Dempster, a member of Chi Pi fraternity. “We’re heavily involved in charity and community work; last year we helped raise $18 million at Thon, a dance marathon.”
Currently, 14 fraternities at Penn State face bans, suspensions, or operate without recognition due to investigations into various misconduct issues, including hazing and forced substance use.
Sigma Chi and four other fraternities formed their own governing body in March 2025 after reforms were applied by the university following the 2017 death of Timothy Piazza during a hazing incident.
Piazza’s parents continue to advocate for reform, expressing concern over ongoing issues. “This just proves we were right about the dangers of the independent coalition model,” Evelyn Piazza stated. “It seems no lessons have been learned since our son’s tragedy, as people remain in denial about the risks.”
On campus, the drug scandal has sparked considerable discussion, shaping how incoming students view fraternities. Freshman Billy Kiray remarked, “I was never interested in joining a fraternity; I feel a bit too old for that.”
“Realistically, drugs will always be somewhere in college. This situation just makes my decision clearer; I want to focus on my studies and support my family,” he added.
Another freshman, Cole Falin, shared his mother’s perspective as an alum, noting, “She said the atmosphere has changed dramatically since her time. I was a bit shocked at the news… but then again, it is college, and drugs are around.”
Penn State’s Vice President for Student Affairs, Andrea Dowhower, emphasized the university’s disapproval of hazing and its encouragement for anyone aware of such behavior to report it to authorities. “We advise students against engaging with unrecognized organizations, which lack oversight and can endanger participants.”
