EAST STROUDSBURG – Eight people, including six students, were arrested over the weekend, in what police say was the smashing of a marijuana trafficking operation at East Stroudsburg University.

Members of the Monroe County Drug Task Force executive a search warrantat the apartment of junior student M. Eugene Pavitt, in Marshalls Creek.  They reportedly found about 1.5 pounds of marijuana, worth an estimated $9,000, along with about $1,200 in cash, several handguns and other weapons.

Police allege Pavitt, of Hellertown, is the ringleader and that five other ESU students and two non-students were involved.  All face felony charges.

The ESU students arrested are Pavitt, Eric Marinelli of Middletown, Kyle Keefe of Bensalem, Robert Bonikowski of Haazleton, Brian Gower of Langhorne and Andrew Nowicki of Hellertown.  The non-students are Peter Gotsch and Robert Sacco, both of East Stroudsburg.

Pavitt is b eing held in lieu of $10,000 bail.