Five Columbia University students were arrested for selling LSD spiked candy and other drugs at residences and fraternity houses on campus. Two of them allegedly claimed they had to sell drugs to cover their tuition.
The arrest finished a five month investigation named “Operation Ivy League” that relied on a youthful undercover officer posing as a drug middleman for another college outside the city. Special Narcotics Prosecutor Bridget G. Brennan said the officer paid nearly $11,000 for 31 purchases of LSD, marijuana, cocaine, Ecstasy and prescription stimulants.The allegations go against not only state and federal law, but also university policy and the principles we have set and strive together to maintain for our community,” said school officials in a letter to students. “Please rest assured we are taking this matter very seriously.”The students were taken to a Manhattan courtroom wearing Columbia and fraternity sweat shirts. They pleaded not guilty to multiple drug dealing charges alleging they were supplied by violent traffickers.
The five were to remain in custody until they could make bail ranging from $20,000 to $50,000 in cash. Authorities called it one of the largest drug bust on a New York City college campus in recent memory.
The investigation led authorities to three traffickers in the East Village and Brooklyn, including one charged with plotting to kidnap rival dealers for ransom. The suspect allegedly tried to recruit a second undercover officer to use a stun gun on his victims and drug them with LSD.
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