21 clashes with federal officials over “large-scale” drug rings involving UNC fraternities

CHAPEL HILL, NC (WTVD) – Twenty-one people, including current and former students at the University of North Carolina, Duke University and Appalachian State University, have been arrested for drug trafficking on college campuses and on their campuses.

U.S. Attorney Matthew Martin, a former UNC student, said the arrested drug traffickers were not drug users in a short time, but were “hardened drug traffickers.”

“It’s a big drug network and a supply chain that feeds the culture of drugs into and within these colleges and around these universities and cities,” Martin said.

COMPLETE NEWS CONFERENCE:

He said the suspects were responsible for transporting thousands of pounds of marijuana, hundreds of kilograms of cocaine, LSD, molly, mushrooms, steroids, HGH, Xanax and other narcotics.

The investigation began years ago. The Orange County Sheriff’s Office and the Drug Control Agency began an investigation in November 2018 into the sale of cocaine in the Chapel Hill area.

It soon became clear that illegal drug distribution was taking place in or near UNC fraternity organizations.

Court records specifically point out that the UNC chapters of Phi Gamma Delta, Kappa Sigma and Beta Theta Pi from 2017 to 2020 are sites of illegal drug activity.

“Traders settled inside these houses, poisoning fellow members of their fraternity, feeding a culture. And that’s why I say today that it’s about saving lives. Because this reckless culture has endangered lives.” , said Martin.

A member of the Appalachian State fraternity is also accused of being part of the drug ring, selling to fellow App state students as well as people from Chapel Hill.

Investigators also identified a Duke student as responsible for distributing cocaine to Duke students and members of the UNC fraternity.

A first California supplier was the first defendant. According to court documents, from March 2017 to March 22, 2019, he supplied approximately 200 pounds of marijuana and two kilograms of cocaine weekly to a defendant who was cooperating in Orange County. Police operations at related sites in Carrboro and Hillsborough resulted in the confiscation of 148.75 pounds of marijuana, 442 grams of cocaine, 189 Xanax pills, steroids, human growth hormone, other narcotics and approximately $ 27,775 in currency. of the USA.

The investigation showed that payment for the drugs was made through Venmo and sending cash via U.S. mail. This provider pleaded guilty on November 24 and was sentenced to 73 months in prison.

The five defendants charged with conspiracy to distribute cocaine and conspiracy to distribute marijuana face prison sentences ranging from ten years to life.

“University communities should be a safe haven for young adults to get a higher education. Not a place where illegal drugs are easily accessible,” DEA agent Matt O’Brien said. “The arrest of these drug traffickers makes these university campuses and their respective communities safer.”

UNC-Chapel Hill Chancellor Kevin Guskiewicz issued the following statement on the allegations; “We are extremely disappointed to learn of these alleged actions on our campus. The University is committed to working with law enforcement to fully understand the involvement of any university or organization so that disciplinary action can be taken. designated people today are currently enrolled students, we will be alert and continue to work with our police partners to identify and address any illegal drug use on our campus.Our community can be confident that the University will enforce the code of conduct of the students as far as possible. ”