96 arrested in drug bust at San Diego State

Nation & World News

Dozens of San Diego State University students were arrested after a sweeping drug investigation found that some fraternity members openly dealt drugs and one even sent a mass text message advertising cocaine, authorities said Tuesday.

In a sweeping drug investigation at San Diego State University, two kilograms of cocaine were seized, along with 350 Ecstasy pills, marijuana, psychedelic mushrooms, hash oil, methamphetamine, illicit prescription drugs, several guns and at least $60,000 in cash. Deputy district attorney Damon Mosler (center), chief of the narcotics division, speaks Tuesday at a news conference in San Diego.

Of the 96 people arrested, 75 were students. Eighteen of the students were arrested Tuesday when nine search warrants were executed at various locations including fraternities. University president Stephen Weber (right) and chief of police John Browning stand over guns and drugs seized during Operation Sudden Fall.

The Theta Chi fraternity house at San Diego State University was one of nine locations served with drug search warrants.

A member of Theta Chi sent out a mass text message to his "faithful customers" stating that he and his "associates" would be unable to sell cocaine while they were in Las Vegas over one weekend, according to the DEA. The text promoted a cocaine "sale" and listed the reduced prices. Theta Chi's San Diego chapter declined to comment.

Photographers record the guns and drugs at the news conference. "Undercover agents purchased cocaine from fraternity members and confirmed that a hierarchy existed for the purpose of selling drugs for money," the DEA said.

The undercover probe, dubbed Operation Sudden Fall, was sparked by the cocaine overdose death of a student in May 2007, authorities said. As the investigation continued, another student, from Mesa College, died Feb. 26 of a cocaine overdose at an SDSU fraternity house, the DEA said. A display made by the San Diego county district attorney's office is mounted behind guns and drugs at the news conference.

San Diego State University President Stephen Weber (left) speaks at the news conference. Those arrested included a student who was about to receive a criminal justice degree and another who was to receive a master's degree in homeland security.

Defendant Patrick Hawley enters the courtroom during his arraignment in San Diego County Superior Court.

Hawley listens during his arraignment. He is charged with the sale of cocaine.

Omar Casteneda enters the courtroom during his arraignment in San Diego County Superior Court.

Casteneda is charged with possession of cocaine for sale.

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In a sweeping drug investigation at San Diego State University, two kilograms of cocaine were seized, along with 350 Ecstasy pills, marijuana, psychedelic mushrooms, hash oil, methamphetamine, illicit prescription drugs, several guns and at least $60,000 in cash. Deputy district attorney Damon Mosler (center), chief of the narcotics division, speaks Tuesday at a news conference in San Diego.

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