(Image source: New York Daily News)
BY GRACE MEINERS
You're watching multisource U.S. news analysis from Newsy
You’ve heard of the preppy killer? Might wanna make way for the Ivy League drug lords. Five students from the prestigious Columbia University in New York were arrested Tuesday and charged with running a drug ring -- out of their on-campus fraternity houses.
NYPD began its undercover investigation after receiving a tip in July. Over the course of five months, the cops say they bought $11,000 worth of marijuana, cocaine, ecstasy, Adderall and LSD.
All five students officially pleaded not guilty, though some offered a legal defense, saying they were using their extra income to pay for tuition. NBC reports the young men were shockingly open with the entire operation.
“Drug deals were going down in fraternity living rooms, in the bathroom, in the bedroom. Quite openly. It appeared that there was no awareness of the fact that this was illegal and that there are consequences for it.”
Three off-campus suppliers were also allegedly involved in the ring. Two were arrested in October and the third was arrested Sunday. More shockingly, The New York Times reports, one of the suppliers tried to recruit the undercover cop to take care of his competition.
“He asked the undercover [officer] to help him kidnap and torture rival cocaine sellers... If a ransom wasn’t paid, [he] wanted the rivals killed.”
But KMFB reports, Columbia University students say these guys were more lambs than lions-- one was even a student council member.
“Many who know those students there are shocked by the arrests on campus.”
Student: “They’re very good guys, and it’s sad that this happened here.”
Student: “He’s very smart. He’s always really kind, and very hospitable.”
Gawker investigated the boys’ Facebook profiles and aside from some gregarious behavior, reports they’re basically normal college guys. Which it says, isn’t all that surprising.
“They look so normal, arm in arm with their classmates... And ultimately, they are pretty normal: Everyone knows someone who was a dealer in college.”
That’s what many are saying about this situation -- drugs are becoming as ubiquitous on campuses as futons. WFXT in Boston says it’s rare -- but good -- to see drug-dealing college students pay the price.
“But isn’t this one all too predictable? And don’t you get the sense that this could’ve been any school? University insert front part right there. It’s nice to see the cops actually went after this. It’s nice to see they busted them.”
Local news site, DNA Info, reports each preppy pusher was found with large sums of cash - from $500 to $4,000 - on them at time of arrest.So what do you think? Throw the book at ‘em. Or silly college kids -- let ‘em get back to the books?
Get news with analysis from Newsy
Transcript by Newsy
