VIEWS with David Dobrik & Jason Nash

Episode: Running Drugs for the Cartel
Date: November 11, 2025

Episode Overview

This riveting episode of VIEWS invites Owen Hansen and former USC football player turned cartel logistics “quarterback” Dave (Cartel Insider) to detail Dave’s wild double life: from college athlete to massive bookie, to money-launderer, to ultimately running millions for a notorious Mexican drug cartel. The conversation unpacks the highs and terrifying lows of drug trafficking, the logistics of laundering, outsmarting law enforcement, survival tactics when the cartel comes calling, and the surreal transition from laundering cash to selling protein ice cream after a federal prison sentence. The hosts and guests toggle between humor, disbelief, and fascination, delivering a jaw-dropping, cinematic account with dark undertones and a dash of comic relief.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. From USC Star to Criminal High-Roller

Dave's Background:
- Played at USC during their championship era (2003–2005) alongside Reggie Bush and Matt Leinart. ([01:58])
- Did not make it to the NFL; saw friends getting rich and pivoted to bookmaking, leveraging his university connections. ([02:50])
- “I was like, man, I know all these athletes and I know all these rich kids. I'm going to become a bookie.” — Dave ([02:50])
Bookmaking escalates:
- Started attracting big bettors, including athletes and wealthy clients, eventually handling international action.
- Accidentally took on a high-profile cartel lieutenant as a client, receiving $250,000+ in cash weekly. ([03:44])

2. First Brush with the Cartel

VIP Cartel Customer:
- Confirmed cartel connections after an encrypted BlackBerry was sent for contact.
- “It was this BlackBerry … three passwords, no mic, no camera, no GPS. … this cartel member says, I like the way you do business.” — Dave ([04:59])
Money-Laundering & Trust:
- Began moving large cash sums for a 10% cut, rationalizing he wasn’t “doing anything illegal,” just hustling.
- Eventually transported a million dollars in cash from Texas, earning $100k in a day.
- “Like a son of a construction worker making 100 grand a day. That's unheard of.” ([07:14])

3. The Australian Cocaine Ring

The Big Ask:
- Cartel solicited Dave to move coke in Australia, where prices and risk were astronomical ($300/gram, life sentences for 2.5kg+). ([09:38])
- Partnered with an old Italian mobster to secure distribution; recounted a nerve-wracking meet at the Four Seasons Sydney, inspecting a 10kg “sample.”
- “I'm so nervous. … I don't want to touch this … this is a life sentence. … There's 10 kilos of pure cocaine.” ([11:12])
Distribution & Payout:
- Cocaine in, cash out — literally millions stacked in a tiny apartment, cash stashed in dishwashers, microwaves, cupboards. ([13:10])
- “I'm panicking. I'm putting money in my cupboards of the kitchen. I got my dishwasher stacked with millions.” — Dave ([13:10])

4. Laundering Millions: The Casino Gambit

Casino Laundering Scheme:
- Hired a Vegas blackjack high-roller to turn the dirty money into casino chips, then legitimate checks.
- “He arrived in Sydney, Australia, and I give him 1.5 million dollars. … He just laundered the money, just like that.” ([17:19])
Disaster Strikes:
- The high-roller loses $2.5 million in one night, then panics and calls the police, who discover $700k cash.
- “I just lost 700 grand in $2.5 million of the cartel's money within 24 hours.” ([20:36])

5. Facing the Cartel

Moment of Truth:
- Summoned to Mexico by “El Jefe,” convinced he’d die:
  - “I knew I was going to get killed … I said, if I get shot, I'm at least going to go down in peace.” ([21:37])
  - Pickup by sicarios in a bulletproof Suburban; a shut-down lobster restaurant for their meeting ([24:15])
  - El Jefe increases Dave’s debt (“You owe me 4 million now”) but spares his life, demanding repayment and more work.
  - “I'm not going to kill you because you owe me 4 million and you now work for the cartel.” ([24:51])

6. Smuggling 2.0: Cocaine in Wine Bottles

Getting Creative:
- Devises new smuggling technique by dissolving cocaine into white wine bottles; Australian chemist rebonds it to powder. ([27:16])
- “I'm gonna bring cocaine in through wine bottles … turn it into liquid form, and I need your chemist to break it back.” ([27:16])
- “It worked. … The chemist brought it back … we have 95% of the quality.” ([29:36])

7. The Feds Close In

FBI Infiltration:
- FBI investigates, plants undercover agents posing as Swiss bankers to offer laundering services.
- “We’re using this money laundering guys now. … I'm dropping off $500,000 ... and these agents are giving me $500,000 cash.” ([34:25])
- Dave grows suspicious over low laundering rates but presses on.
The Bust:
- Set up during a golf game: “I turn around. Fifteen FBI agents come out of the bushes. There's a helicopter in the sky. Put your hands in the air.” ([40:05])
- Relief upon arrest: “It was finally over, man. … It was like the biggest relief.” ([40:21])

8. Prison, Loyalty, and Reinvention

Post-Arrest Fallout:
- Dave refuses to snitch, gets charged with RICO; 23 associates arrested.
- Sentenced to 21 years, serves 10 years.
- After testifying against a crooked lawyer, gets his sentence cut.
- Remains loyal: “I'm not gonna sign a death certificate.” ([42:09])
Entrepreneurial Pivot: Prison Ceviche & Ice Cream
- Invents “California Ice Protein” in prison using peanut butter jar shakes left to freeze in salty ice, resulting in protein ice cream. ([46:26])
- “I think I found my new hustle. I'm buying salt from every person that has salt. … selling these things frozen for 15 and calling them protein ice cream.” ([46:50])

9. Reflections and Aftermath

Relationship with Cartel Post-Prison:
- El Jefe’s people frequently extended respect, support during incarceration. ([47:44])
- Never reveals the cartel’s identity: “I don't ever mention the cartel I work for. And I don't ever mention him. Wow. I'm never going to tell you or Natalie or Jason.” ([48:14])
- Entertaining meetings with movie producers (Wolf of Wall Street, Entourage) to adapt his story. ([50:44])

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

Dave summarizes his criminal entry:
- “What am I doing illegal? I'm just a hustler.” — [06:06]
On managing massive sums:
- “I'm sitting on like, 10 million in my apartment. … Laying on my bed going, what am I gonna do?” — [13:10]
His pivotal plan:
- “It came in Australia. The wine store got it. My buddy said, bro, it made it. He says, that was awesome, … it worked.” — [29:01]
Confronted by El Jefe:
- “You don't owe me 3.2 million anymore. I'm charging you interest. You owe me 4 million. But I'm not going to kill you because you owe me 4 million and you now work for the cartel.” — [24:51]
On facing arrest:
- “It was finally over, man. It was like the biggest relief.” — [40:21]
Post-prison hustle:
- “Life gives you cocaine. Make ice cream.” — Natalie [52:51]

Important Timestamps

01:58 – Dave’s USC football background
03:44 – First major cash interactions with cartel clients
04:59 – Encrypted phone: establishing direct cartel connection
06:37 – $1 million Texas cash run; the rush of big payouts
11:12 – Four Seasons, Sydney: “sample” 10kg cocaine hand-off
13:10 – Millions stashed in apartment: “panicking”
17:19 – High-roller casino laundering scheme set in motion
20:36 – $2.5M lost at casino, panic, and law enforcement closing in
24:51 – The defining conversation with El Jefe
27:16 – Smuggling innovation: cocaine in wine bottles
34:25 – FBI’s infiltration via the “Swiss bankers”
40:05 – Dave’s arrest, golf course FBI takedown
42:09 – RICO: loyalty under pressure, mass arrests
46:26 – The prison-born protein ice cream business
47:44 – Cartel communication and respect post-prison
50:44 – Talks of movie adaptation in the works
52:51 – “Life gives you cocaine. Make ice cream.”

Tone & Style Notes

The narrative is fast, animated, and candid — blending dark crime tales with self-effacing humor and incredulity.
Dave’s tone: part streetwise entrepreneur, part survivor, always conscious of risk and reward.
Panel/hosts: Alternately shocked, amused, and awed; they keep the tone conversational and irreverent, while asking incisive questions.

Where to Find More

Dave’s Brand: californiaiceprotein.com
Social Media: @TheOfficialCAKid and @CaliforniaIceProtein

This episode delivers a wild but true saga—sports, crime, survival, betrayal, innovation, and rebirth—told in Dave’s own words, with all the adrenaline, paranoia, and audacity that came with running drugs for the cartel.

VIEWS with David Dobrik & Jason Nash

Episode: Running Drugs for the Cartel
Date: November 11, 2025

Episode Overview

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. From USC Star to Criminal High-Roller

Dave's Background:
- Played at USC during their championship era (2003–2005) alongside Reggie Bush and Matt Leinart. ([01:58])
- Did not make it to the NFL; saw friends getting rich and pivoted to bookmaking, leveraging his university connections. ([02:50])
- “I was like, man, I know all these athletes and I know all these rich kids. I'm going to become a bookie.” — Dave ([02:50])
Bookmaking escalates:
- Started attracting big bettors, including athletes and wealthy clients, eventually handling international action.
- Accidentally took on a high-profile cartel lieutenant as a client, receiving $250,000+ in cash weekly. ([03:44])

2. First Brush with the Cartel

VIP Cartel Customer:
- Confirmed cartel connections after an encrypted BlackBerry was sent for contact.
- “It was this BlackBerry … three passwords, no mic, no camera, no GPS. … this cartel member says, I like the way you do business.” — Dave ([04:59])
Money-Laundering & Trust:
- Began moving large cash sums for a 10% cut, rationalizing he wasn’t “doing anything illegal,” just hustling.
- Eventually transported a million dollars in cash from Texas, earning $100k in a day.
- “Like a son of a construction worker making 100 grand a day. That's unheard of.” ([07:14])

3. The Australian Cocaine Ring

The Big Ask:
- Cartel solicited Dave to move coke in Australia, where prices and risk were astronomical ($300/gram, life sentences for 2.5kg+). ([09:38])
- Partnered with an old Italian mobster to secure distribution; recounted a nerve-wracking meet at the Four Seasons Sydney, inspecting a 10kg “sample.”
- “I'm so nervous. … I don't want to touch this … this is a life sentence. … There's 10 kilos of pure cocaine.” ([11:12])
Distribution & Payout:
- Cocaine in, cash out — literally millions stacked in a tiny apartment, cash stashed in dishwashers, microwaves, cupboards. ([13:10])
- “I'm panicking. I'm putting money in my cupboards of the kitchen. I got my dishwasher stacked with millions.” — Dave ([13:10])

4. Laundering Millions: The Casino Gambit

Casino Laundering Scheme:
- Hired a Vegas blackjack high-roller to turn the dirty money into casino chips, then legitimate checks.
- “He arrived in Sydney, Australia, and I give him 1.5 million dollars. … He just laundered the money, just like that.” ([17:19])
Disaster Strikes:
- The high-roller loses $2.5 million in one night, then panics and calls the police, who discover $700k cash.
- “I just lost 700 grand in $2.5 million of the cartel's money within 24 hours.” ([20:36])

5. Facing the Cartel

Moment of Truth:
- Summoned to Mexico by “El Jefe,” convinced he’d die:
  - “I knew I was going to get killed … I said, if I get shot, I'm at least going to go down in peace.” ([21:37])
  - Pickup by sicarios in a bulletproof Suburban; a shut-down lobster restaurant for their meeting ([24:15])
  - El Jefe increases Dave’s debt (“You owe me 4 million now”) but spares his life, demanding repayment and more work.
  - “I'm not going to kill you because you owe me 4 million and you now work for the cartel.” ([24:51])

6. Smuggling 2.0: Cocaine in Wine Bottles

Getting Creative:
- Devises new smuggling technique by dissolving cocaine into white wine bottles; Australian chemist rebonds it to powder. ([27:16])
- “I'm gonna bring cocaine in through wine bottles … turn it into liquid form, and I need your chemist to break it back.” ([27:16])
- “It worked. … The chemist brought it back … we have 95% of the quality.” ([29:36])

7. The Feds Close In

FBI Infiltration:
- FBI investigates, plants undercover agents posing as Swiss bankers to offer laundering services.
- “We’re using this money laundering guys now. … I'm dropping off $500,000 ... and these agents are giving me $500,000 cash.” ([34:25])
- Dave grows suspicious over low laundering rates but presses on.
The Bust:
- Set up during a golf game: “I turn around. Fifteen FBI agents come out of the bushes. There's a helicopter in the sky. Put your hands in the air.” ([40:05])
- Relief upon arrest: “It was finally over, man. … It was like the biggest relief.” ([40:21])

8. Prison, Loyalty, and Reinvention

Post-Arrest Fallout:
- Dave refuses to snitch, gets charged with RICO; 23 associates arrested.
- Sentenced to 21 years, serves 10 years.
- After testifying against a crooked lawyer, gets his sentence cut.
- Remains loyal: “I'm not gonna sign a death certificate.” ([42:09])
Entrepreneurial Pivot: Prison Ceviche & Ice Cream
- Invents “California Ice Protein” in prison using peanut butter jar shakes left to freeze in salty ice, resulting in protein ice cream. ([46:26])
- “I think I found my new hustle. I'm buying salt from every person that has salt. … selling these things frozen for 15 and calling them protein ice cream.” ([46:50])

9. Reflections and Aftermath

Relationship with Cartel Post-Prison:
- El Jefe’s people frequently extended respect, support during incarceration. ([47:44])
- Never reveals the cartel’s identity: “I don't ever mention the cartel I work for. And I don't ever mention him. Wow. I'm never going to tell you or Natalie or Jason.” ([48:14])
- Entertaining meetings with movie producers (Wolf of Wall Street, Entourage) to adapt his story. ([50:44])

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

Dave summarizes his criminal entry:
- “What am I doing illegal? I'm just a hustler.” — [06:06]
On managing massive sums:
- “I'm sitting on like, 10 million in my apartment. … Laying on my bed going, what am I gonna do?” — [13:10]
His pivotal plan:
- “It came in Australia. The wine store got it. My buddy said, bro, it made it. He says, that was awesome, … it worked.” — [29:01]
Confronted by El Jefe:
- “You don't owe me 3.2 million anymore. I'm charging you interest. You owe me 4 million. But I'm not going to kill you because you owe me 4 million and you now work for the cartel.” — [24:51]
On facing arrest:
- “It was finally over, man. It was like the biggest relief.” — [40:21]
Post-prison hustle:
- “Life gives you cocaine. Make ice cream.” — Natalie [52:51]

Important Timestamps

01:58 – Dave’s USC football background
03:44 – First major cash interactions with cartel clients
04:59 – Encrypted phone: establishing direct cartel connection
06:37 – $1 million Texas cash run; the rush of big payouts
11:12 – Four Seasons, Sydney: “sample” 10kg cocaine hand-off
13:10 – Millions stashed in apartment: “panicking”
17:19 – High-roller casino laundering scheme set in motion
20:36 – $2.5M lost at casino, panic, and law enforcement closing in
24:51 – The defining conversation with El Jefe
27:16 – Smuggling innovation: cocaine in wine bottles
34:25 – FBI’s infiltration via the “Swiss bankers”
40:05 – Dave’s arrest, golf course FBI takedown
42:09 – RICO: loyalty under pressure, mass arrests
46:26 – The prison-born protein ice cream business
47:44 – Cartel communication and respect post-prison
50:44 – Talks of movie adaptation in the works
52:51 – “Life gives you cocaine. Make ice cream.”

Tone & Style Notes

The narrative is fast, animated, and candid — blending dark crime tales with self-effacing humor and incredulity.
Dave’s tone: part streetwise entrepreneur, part survivor, always conscious of risk and reward.
Panel/hosts: Alternately shocked, amused, and awed; they keep the tone conversational and irreverent, while asking incisive questions.

Where to Find More

Dave’s Brand: californiaiceprotein.com
Social Media: @TheOfficialCAKid and @CaliforniaIceProtein

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Running Drugs for the Cartel

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Summary

VIEWS with David Dobrik & Jason Nash

Episode Overview

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. From USC Star to Criminal High-Roller

2. First Brush with the Cartel

3. The Australian Cocaine Ring

4. Laundering Millions: The Casino Gambit

5. Facing the Cartel

6. Smuggling 2.0: Cocaine in Wine Bottles

7. The Feds Close In

8. Prison, Loyalty, and Reinvention

9. Reflections and Aftermath

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

Important Timestamps

Tone & Style Notes

Where to Find More

Summary

VIEWS with David Dobrik & Jason Nash

Episode Overview

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. From USC Star to Criminal High-Roller

2. First Brush with the Cartel

3. The Australian Cocaine Ring

4. Laundering Millions: The Casino Gambit

5. Facing the Cartel

6. Smuggling 2.0: Cocaine in Wine Bottles

7. The Feds Close In

8. Prison, Loyalty, and Reinvention

9. Reflections and Aftermath

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

Important Timestamps

Tone & Style Notes

Where to Find More