San Diego’s underworld has lost one of its most ruthless kingpins. Owen Hanson, leader of the violent “ODOG Enterprise,” pleaded guilty today to conspiring to operate an international drug trafficking, gambling and money laundering operation that stretched from the U.S. to Central and South America and even into Australia between 2012 and 2016.
According to his plea agreement, the ODOG Enterprise moved hundreds of kilograms of cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, MDMA (also known as “ecstasy”), anabolic steroids and Human Growth Hormone (“HGH”). Hanson admitted the organization distributed drugs at both wholesale and retail levels, including supplying performance-enhancing drugs to numerous professional athletes. The enterprise wasn’t just a drug ring—it was a full-scale criminal empire built on fear, cash, and blood.
The ODOG operation ran a sprawling illegal sports gambling network focused on high-stakes wagers. When debts went unpaid, the response was swift and brutal. Court papers detail one chilling instance where a man who owed over $2 million received a DVD of a beheading and a photo of his family’s desecrated gravestone—ODBG’s preferred method of debt collection.
Three of Hanson’s top associates also copped pleas today: Giovanni Brandolino (aka “Tank”), Marlyn Villarreal and Jeff Bellandi. Brandolino, the second-highest-ranking member, admitted to helping import and distribute massive quantities of cocaine and heroin, and to establishing a drug distribution network in New Jersey and New York. He pleaded guilty to RICO conspiracy and money laundering. Villarreal and Bellandi each pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit money laundering.
The case has already seen 16 guilty pleas out of 22 defendants. Daniel Portley-Hanks, a Los Angeles private investigator, pleaded guilty to extortion on December 27, 2016, after helping track down gamblers and debtors. Jack Rissell, labeled an “enforcer” in the indictment, pleaded guilty to extortion on December 17, 2016. Kenny Hilinski, who ran the gambling operation from Peru, pleaded guilty to RICO conspiracy on May 24, 2016. Rufus Rhone was sentenced on September 19, 2016, to 72 months in prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and cocaine.
The remaining defendants, including San Diego CPA Luke Fairfield—who allegedly set up shell corporations to launder millions—and former pro football player Derek Loville—accused of distributing drugs in Arizona—are set for trial on February 14, 2017. Dylan Anderson and Khalid Petras face charges for running an illegal gambling business. The ODOG reign of terror may be crumbling, but its legacy of violence and corruption will linger long after the courtroom doors close.
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Key Facts
- State: California
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Organized Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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