Matthew Cox | Inside True Crime Podcast Celebrity Kingpin Makes $1 Million/Day | Owen Hanson
Dec 9, 2025
Owen Hanson, a former USC athlete and convicted kingpin, shares his wild descent into the criminal underworld. He reveals how steroid use led to drug smuggling and high-stakes bookmaking, ultimately pulling in up to a million dollars a day. Owen recounts harrowing tales of cartel encounters and money laundering through casinos. After serving time, he transformed his life, creating California Ice Protein from prison and leveraging his story to build a legit business. His journey is a gripping mix of crime, survival, and redemption.
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From One Border Run To Regular Smuggling
- Owen Hanson started smuggling steroids from Tijuana to fit in at USC and felt a rush the first time he lied at customs.
- That initial smuggling escalated into regular runs and creative concealment methods with friends and students.
Campus Market Turned Cash Machine
- Owen describes receiving eight ounces of cocaine at USC and turning it into a campus distribution network.
- He enlisted fraternity brothers as sub-dealers and quickly sold out, realizing the market and profit margins.
From Laid Off To White‑Label Bookie
- After the 2008 recession Owen pivoted to bookmaking, learning pay-per-head operations in Costa Rica.
- He scaled into a white-label sportsbook (BetoDog) and captured customers when competitors were indicted.
