Operation Sudden Fall
Encyclopedia
Operation Sudden Fall was a 2008 joint operation between the United States
Drug Enforcement Agency and San Diego State University
campus police
. It was the largest campus drug bust in San Diego County history and one of the largest college drug busts in U.S. history.
overdose on May 6, 2007, and another student, from Mesa College
, died of oxycodone
overdose on February 26, 2008. A day before the operation was carried out, The Koala
, published a personal ad telling the SDSU Greek System that the D.E.A was coming for them.
announced the arrest of 96 individuals, of whom 75 were San Diego State University students, on a variety of drug charges in a narcotics sting. Those arrested included students in the campus's Homeland Security and Criminal Justice programs. Additionally, the Lambda Chi Alpha
, Phi Kappa Theta
, Phi Kappa Psi
, Sigma Alpha Epsilon
, and Sigma Alpha Mu
fraternity chapters received interim suspensions as a result of the operation. Two kilograms of cocaine
were seized, along with 350 Ecstasy
pills, 50 pounds of marijuana, psychedelic mushrooms, hash oil, methamphetamine, illicit prescription drugs, other drug paraphernalia, three guns, and $60,000 in cash. That day, SDSU President Stephen Weber spoke at a news conference
, while authorities identified 22 SDSU students as drug dealers who sold to undercover agents, and 17 others that had supplied the drugs. The rest of the suspects apparently bought or possessed illegal drugs. Authorities further found that students from seven fraternities were involved in the drug ring, which operated openly across campus.
Some student groups, including "SDSU group Students for Sensible Drug Policy," protested the arrests, especially SDSU's decision to involve the DEA, a federal agency, in the operation. In addition, they called for a more sympathetic policy toward drug use on the campus.
One day later, on May 7, SDSU officials stated that only 33 were students, and that the inflated number issued originally included students arrested months earlier, in some cases for simple possession.
On May 15, SDSU Vice President for Student Affairs James Kitchen lifted the interim suspension from the Phi Kappa Theta
, Sigma Alpha Mu
, and Sigma Alpha Epsilon
fraternities. The suspension was lifted after an administrative review found that those arrested in connection to the controlled substances investigation were either inactive members of the fraternity and/or were not presently residents of chapter houses.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
Drug Enforcement Agency and San Diego State University
San Diego State University
San Diego State University , founded in 1897 as San Diego Normal School, is the largest and oldest higher education facility in the greater San Diego area , and is part of the California State University system...
campus police
California State University Police Department
The California State University Police Department is the police department for the California State University. Although referred to as campus police, or university police, the police officers are duly sworn peace officers of the State of California, as established by section 830.2 of the...
. It was the largest campus drug bust in San Diego County history and one of the largest college drug busts in U.S. history.
Background
The sting operation was triggered by the overdose deaths of two students at SDSU in 2007. 19-year Jenny Poliakoff died of a cocaineCocaine
Cocaine is a crystalline tropane alkaloid that is obtained from the leaves of the coca plant. The name comes from "coca" in addition to the alkaloid suffix -ine, forming cocaine. It is a stimulant of the central nervous system, an appetite suppressant, and a topical anesthetic...
overdose on May 6, 2007, and another student, from Mesa College
Mesa College
Mesa College may refer to:*Mesa Community College, a public, two-year community college in Mesa, Arizona*Mesa State College, a public, liberal-arts college in Grand Junction, Colorado; previously named as Mesa College...
, died of oxycodone
Oxycodone
Oxycodone is an opioid analgesic medication synthesized from opium-derived thebaine. It was developed in 1916 in Germany, as one of several new semi-synthetic opioids in an attempt to improve on the existing opioids: morphine, diacetylmorphine , and codeine.Oxycodone oral medications are generally...
overdose on February 26, 2008. A day before the operation was carried out, The Koala
The Koala
The Koala is marketed as a satirical comedy college paper distributed primarily on the campus of the University of California, San Diego San Diego State University and Cal State San Marcos...
, published a personal ad telling the SDSU Greek System that the D.E.A was coming for them.
Results of sting
On May 6, 2008, the Drug Enforcement AdministrationDrug Enforcement Administration
The Drug Enforcement Administration is a federal law enforcement agency under the United States Department of Justice, tasked with combating drug smuggling and use within the United States...
announced the arrest of 96 individuals, of whom 75 were San Diego State University students, on a variety of drug charges in a narcotics sting. Those arrested included students in the campus's Homeland Security and Criminal Justice programs. Additionally, the Lambda Chi Alpha
Lambda Chi Alpha
Lambda Chi Alpha is one of the largest men's secret general fraternities in North America, having initiated more than 280,000 members and held chapters at more than 300 universities. It is a member of the North-American Interfraternity Conference and was founded by Warren A. Cole, while he was a...
, Phi Kappa Theta
Phi Kappa Theta
Phi Kappa Theta is a national social fraternity with over 50 chapters and colonies at universities across the United States. "Phi Kaps", as they are commonly referred to colloquially, are known for diversity among their brothers and a dedication to service.-History:Phi Kappa Theta was established...
, Phi Kappa Psi
Phi Kappa Psi
Phi Kappa Psi is an American collegiate social fraternity founded at Jefferson College in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania on February 19, 1852. There are over a hundred chapters and colonies at accredited four year colleges and universities throughout the United States. More than 112,000 men have been...
, Sigma Alpha Epsilon
Sigma Alpha Epsilon
Sigma Alpha Epsilon is a North American Greek-letter social college fraternity founded at the University of Alabama on March 9, 1856. Of all existing national social fraternities today, Sigma Alpha Epsilon is the only one founded in the Antebellum South...
, and Sigma Alpha Mu
Sigma Alpha Mu
Sigma Alpha Mu , also known as "Sammy", is a college fraternity founded at the City College of New York in 1909. Originally only for Jewish men, Sigma Alpha Mu remained so until 1953, when members from all backgrounds were accepted. Originally headquartered in New York, Sigma Alpha Mu has...
fraternity chapters received interim suspensions as a result of the operation. Two kilograms of cocaine
Cocaine
Cocaine is a crystalline tropane alkaloid that is obtained from the leaves of the coca plant. The name comes from "coca" in addition to the alkaloid suffix -ine, forming cocaine. It is a stimulant of the central nervous system, an appetite suppressant, and a topical anesthetic...
were seized, along with 350 Ecstasy
Methylenedioxymethamphetamine
MDMA is an entactogenic drug of the phenethylamine and amphetamine class of drugs. In popular culture, MDMA has become widely known as "ecstasy" , usually referring to its street pill form, although this term may also include the presence of possible adulterants...
pills, 50 pounds of marijuana, psychedelic mushrooms, hash oil, methamphetamine, illicit prescription drugs, other drug paraphernalia, three guns, and $60,000 in cash. That day, SDSU President Stephen Weber spoke at a news conference
News conference
A news conference or press conference is a media event in which newsmakers invite journalists to hear them speak and, most often, ask questions. A joint press conference instead is held between two or more talking sides.-Practice:...
, while authorities identified 22 SDSU students as drug dealers who sold to undercover agents, and 17 others that had supplied the drugs. The rest of the suspects apparently bought or possessed illegal drugs. Authorities further found that students from seven fraternities were involved in the drug ring, which operated openly across campus.
Some student groups, including "SDSU group Students for Sensible Drug Policy," protested the arrests, especially SDSU's decision to involve the DEA, a federal agency, in the operation. In addition, they called for a more sympathetic policy toward drug use on the campus.
One day later, on May 7, SDSU officials stated that only 33 were students, and that the inflated number issued originally included students arrested months earlier, in some cases for simple possession.
On May 15, SDSU Vice President for Student Affairs James Kitchen lifted the interim suspension from the Phi Kappa Theta
Phi Kappa Theta
Phi Kappa Theta is a national social fraternity with over 50 chapters and colonies at universities across the United States. "Phi Kaps", as they are commonly referred to colloquially, are known for diversity among their brothers and a dedication to service.-History:Phi Kappa Theta was established...
, Sigma Alpha Mu
Sigma Alpha Mu
Sigma Alpha Mu , also known as "Sammy", is a college fraternity founded at the City College of New York in 1909. Originally only for Jewish men, Sigma Alpha Mu remained so until 1953, when members from all backgrounds were accepted. Originally headquartered in New York, Sigma Alpha Mu has...
, and Sigma Alpha Epsilon
Sigma Alpha Epsilon
Sigma Alpha Epsilon is a North American Greek-letter social college fraternity founded at the University of Alabama on March 9, 1856. Of all existing national social fraternities today, Sigma Alpha Epsilon is the only one founded in the Antebellum South...
fraternities. The suspension was lifted after an administrative review found that those arrested in connection to the controlled substances investigation were either inactive members of the fraternity and/or were not presently residents of chapter houses.
Sentencing
Several months after the May 6 announcement, it was reported that the majority of the defendants had pleaded guilty to the felony charges. The defendants were then either placed on probation or were required to enter drug diversion programs. Other defendants only received citations or had their cases dismissed.See also
- California State University Police DepartmentCalifornia State University Police DepartmentThe California State University Police Department is the police department for the California State University. Although referred to as campus police, or university police, the police officers are duly sworn peace officers of the State of California, as established by section 830.2 of the...
- DEA raids San Diego State University dorms (WikiNews)