I Made Millions in the Black Market Steroid Trade | Full Operation Exposed episode artwork

EPISODE · May 31, 2026 · 1H 41M

I Made Millions in the Black Market Steroid Trade | Full Operation Exposed

from Honor Among Thieves | True Crime & Crime Stories · host Nelson Rodriguez Jr | True Crime & Crime Stories Host

Ryan Root joins Honor Among Thieves Podcast to tell the story of how he went from studying biochemistry and testosterone to running one of the largest underground steroid operations in the world. In this true crime podcast episode, Ryan breaks down how the black market steroid world worked in the early 2000s, how underground labs exploded online, and how his operation grew into a massive illegal steroid empire that generated millions of dollars before the federal government came after him. Ryan explains how he became known as one of the top steroid sources in the world, how the business scaled through bodybuilding forums, underground labs, suppliers, shipping networks, and money collectors, and how the operation eventually made around $10 million a year before it all came crashing down. This episode also covers Operation Cyber Juice, the DEA investigation, the mistakes that exposed the operation, the federal case that followed, and how Ryan was sentenced to 78 months in federal prison. But this conversation is bigger than steroids. Ryan talks about low testosterone, bodybuilding culture, the difference between medical use and black market abuse, the criminal justice system, prison, losing everything, rebuilding his life, and what redemption looks like after becoming known as the “Walter White of Steroids.” In this episode, we cover: Ryan Root’s early interest in testosterone, hormones, and biochemistry How the steroid black market worked in the early 2000s Underground labs and the rise of online steroid forums How Ryan built a massive anabolic steroid operation Becoming one of the top steroid sources in the world The $10 million-a-year steroid empire Bodybuilding, performance enhancement, and steroid culture Money collectors, suppliers, shipping networks, and federal exposure Operation Cyber Juice and the DEA investigation The mistake that led law enforcement to the organization Ryan Root’s federal indictment and 78-month prison sentence What federal prison taught him Losing money, property, freedom, and identity Life after prison and Ryan’s story of redemption This is one of the most unique federal crime stories ever featured on Honor Among Thieves Podcast. Ryan Root gives a raw look inside the underground steroid world, the business behind anabolic steroid trafficking, the risks of illegal performance-enhancing drugs, and the consequences that come when a black market empire gets too big to hide. Chapters 0:00 Intro 3:03 Low Testosterone, Getting Picked On & Finding the Gym 13:46 Biochemistry, Hormone Research & First Steroid Connect 25:18 Breaking Into the World’s Largest Steroid Forum 35:00 Becoming the #3 Steroid Source In The World 45:03 Going All In, Building the Underground Labs 55:17 Money Collectors, China Suppliers & a National Operation 1:05:50 $10M a Year, Five Houses & How "Operation Cyber Juice" Started 1:18:14 Federal Prison, Otisville, Mike “The Situation” & Prison Lessons 1:27:41 Redemption, Go H4M & Life After Prison 📌 Have an unbelievable story? Apply to be a guest: 👉 https://www.honoramongthievespodcast.com/guest 👕Honor Among Thieves Merch👇 https://shop.honoramongthievespodcast.com/ 🔗 Links👇👇👇 📸 Nelson on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/montanatheprophet/ 📸 Ryan on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/ryanrootofficial/ https://goh4m.com/ 💎 Sponsor NordVPN Use Promo Code MONTANA https://bit.ly/honorvpn Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ryan Root joins Honor Among Thieves Podcast to tell the story of how he went from studying biochemistry and testosterone to running one of the largest underground steroid operations in the world. In this true crime podcast episode, Ryan breaks down how the black market steroid world worked in the early 2000s, how underground labs exploded online, and how his operation grew into a massive illegal steroid empire that generated millions of dollars before the federal government came after him. Ryan explains how he became known as one of the top steroid sources in the world, how the business scaled through bodybuilding forums, underground labs, suppliers, shipping networks, and money collectors, and how the operation eventually made around $10 million a year before it all came crashing down. This episode also covers Operation Cyber Juice, the DEA investigation, the mistakes that exposed the operation, the federal case that followed, and how Ryan was sentenced to 78 months in federal prison. But this conversation is bigger than steroids. Ryan talks about low testosterone, bodybuilding culture, the difference between medical use and black market abuse, the criminal justice system, prison, losing everything, rebuilding his life, and what redemption looks like after becoming known as the “Walter White of Steroids.” In this episode, we cover: Ryan Root’s early interest in testosterone, hormones, and biochemistry How the steroid black market worked in the early 2000s Underground labs and the rise of online steroid forums How Ryan built a massive anabolic steroid operation Becoming one of the top steroid sources in the world The $10 million-a-year steroid empire Bodybuilding, performance enhancement, and steroid culture Money collectors, suppliers, shipping networks, and federal exposure Operation Cyber Juice and the DEA investigation The mistake that led law enforcement to the organization Ryan Root’s federal indictment and 78-month prison sentence What federal prison taught him Losing money, property, freedom, and identity Life after prison and Ryan’s story of redemption This is one of the most unique federal crime stories ever featured on Honor Among Thieves Podcast. Ryan Root gives a raw look inside the underground steroid world, the business behind anabolic steroid trafficking, the risks of illegal performance-enhancing drugs, and the consequences that come when a black market empire gets too big to hide. Chapters 0:00 Intro 3:03 Low Testosterone, Getting Picked On & Finding the Gym 13:46 Biochemistry, Hormone Research & First Steroid Connect 25:18 Breaking Into the World’s Largest Steroid Forum 35:00 Becoming the #3 Steroid Source In The World 45:03 Going All In, Building the Underground Labs 55:17 Money Collectors, China Suppliers & a National Operation 1:05:50 $10M a Year, Five Houses & How "Operation Cyber Juice" Started 1:18:14 Federal Prison, Otisville, Mike “The Situation” & Prison Lessons 1:27:41 Redemption, Go H4M & Life After Prison 📌 Have an unbelievable story? Apply to be a guest: 👉 https://www.honoramongthievespodcast.com/guest 👕Honor Among Thieves Merch👇 https://shop.honoramongthievespodcast.com/ 🔗 Links👇👇👇 📸 Nelson on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/montanatheprophet/ 📸 Ryan on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/ryanrootofficial/ https://goh4m.com/ 💎 Sponsor NordVPN Use Promo Code MONTANA https://bit.ly/honorvpn Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

NOW PLAYING

I Made Millions in the Black Market Steroid Trade | Full Operation Exposed

0:00 1:41:36

No transcript for this episode yet

We transcribe on demand. Request one and we'll notify you when it's ready — usually under 10 minutes.

The Why We Fight Podcast with Justin Stamm Justin Stamm 🇩🇪🇺🇸 Philosophy nerd. Mafia geek. Geopolitical Blackbelt. Catholic. The Real Right. Mafia Show "Payola Creator"After spending many years of research & in person interviews with various figures in & around Organized Crime & Politics that I met through my mother Diana Newlin & her real world Godfather Mafia Boss Vincent "Jimmy Blue Eyes" Alo, I began a journey to tell these stories in Hollywood as a screenwriter on how to expose & fight back against the globalists that not only act like a Mafia but nearly always work with them. Explicit Chinook Realm Religion and crime collide when a gruesome murder rocks the isolated community of Chinook, Montana. Local Deputy Ruth Vogel thought she was answering a routine animal control call, only to find a mangled corpse on the frozen embankment. Her small town is whipped into a frenzy and everyone is quick to point their fingers at a drug-addicted teenager, but Ruth suspects connections to a powerful religious group. Enter Agent Loro, an enigmatic FBI investigator tracking an evangelical cult that may have roots right here in Chinook. Loro and Ruth form a cautious partnership to find the killer—but as the mystery winds through Ruth’s life, her family, and her church, she’ll discover something more sinister than murder is afoot.Binge all episodes of Chinook exclusively and ad-free by joining Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Start your free trial by wondery.com/links/chinook v Explicit The Hunt Diaz Task Force A hard-hitting, eye-opening podcast that takes you deep into the relentless fight against human and sex trafficking. Each episode explores the dangerous world of traffickers and predators from every angle—street operations, online investigations, and digital warfare. Hear firsthand from law enforcement, federal agents, and prosecutors as they share real stories of sting operations, investigative tactics, and the challenges of bringing traffickers to justice. Follow live sting operations, online predator investigations, and real-time takedowns of trafficking rings, with insights from cybercrime experts, undercover decoys, and live case discussions. We dive deep into how traffickers operate on the dark web, using cryptocurrency and other digital tools to exploit victims. Learn how law enforcement is using cutting-edge technology to track traffickers and disrupt their operations. The Hunt, pulls back the curtain on the digital and real-world fight against trafficking, exposing the p Explicit The Uncaged Pod Jess MacMillan The Uncaged Pod is the podcast for bold, soul-led women who are ready to break free from the cages of perfectionism, people-pleasing, and limiting beliefs. Hosted by Jess MacMillan, mama, keynote speaker, and women's empowerment advocate, this show delivers raw conversations, powerful insights, and unapologetic truths that will inspire you to reclaim your voice, rewrite your story, and rise with unstoppable confidence.Each week, Jess and her guests dive into topics around leadership, personal growth, entrepreneurship, and motherhood, offering real-life strategies, soulful reflections, and empowering stories to help you lead, live, and love uncaged.Whether you're an entrepreneur, a creative, or a woman who’s remembering who she really is, The Uncaged Pod is your invitation to step into your power and live life on your own terms. Explicit

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is this episode of Honor Among Thieves | True Crime & Crime Stories?

This episode is 1 hour and 41 minutes long.

When was this Honor Among Thieves | True Crime & Crime Stories episode published?

This episode was published on May 31, 2026.

What is this episode about?

Ryan Root joins Honor Among Thieves Podcast to tell the story of how he went from studying biochemistry and testosterone to running one of the largest underground steroid operations in the world. In this true crime podcast episode, Ryan breaks...

Can I download this Honor Among Thieves | True Crime & Crime Stories episode?

Yes, you can download this episode by clicking the download button on the episode player, or subscribe to the podcast in your preferred podcast app for automatic downloads.
URL copied to clipboard!