Columbia students arrested in massive drug bust

In one of the largest drug busts in New York City history, five Columbia University students were arrested and taken into custody yesterday.
The students: Chris Coles, Harrison David, Adam Klein, Jose Perez and Michael Wymbs, were taken into police custody after they sold narcotics totaling nearly $11,000 to undercover police officers. The drugs included marijuana, cocaine, LSD dropped in candy, Ecstasy and Adderall, according to a source from the New York City Office of Special Narcotics.
The Columbia Daily Spectator reported that the students, who appeared in Manhattan Supreme Court for arraignment, were placed on bail.
According to the Special Narcotics office, "the only one who came with parents was Michael Wymbs." The other four spent the night at Rikers Island.
All the students are considered to be academically strong.
Perez is a Gates Millennium Scholar. Klein is a member of the fencing team, and Wymbs was the former vice president of the engineering school's student council. Coles and David told police they were selling drugs to pay for school.
"This is no way to work your way through college," Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly told reporters.
"I can't even comprehend this right now," said the girlfriend of one of the arrested students. "They are a few of the smartest and nicest people that I know."
Columbia senior Kaley Hanenkrat expressed concern over the situation.
"I certainly understand the need of decreasing illegal activities, but what's really concerning to me is that their careers are destroyed now with how the drug policy is today," she said. "They made a mistake, and it's horrible that it happened. But at the end of the day, they were very intelligent and promising people. As stressed [as] I am about finding a job next year, it's scary to think of the prospects of their futures."
Senior Humphrey Huang said he "wasn't that surprised."
"I'm pretty sure this kind of stuff happens in most colleges," said Huang, who said he knows Wymbs.
Columbia University released a statement yesterday afternoon acknowledging the arrests.
"Decisions made by individuals affect the community as a whole. Please consider the potential impact of your actions on both your individual lives and the university community at large," said Robert Hornsby, director of media relations for the university.

Most of the drugs were sold from the houses of campus fraternities, including Alpha Epsilon Pi, Pi Kappa Alpha and Psi Upsilon. According to the Daily News, the investigation began after the NYPD's Crime Stoppers received several anonymous complaints to their tipline. The narcotics team raided the houses after identifying the suspects involved. The investigation also led to the arrest of three of the students' suppliers.
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