Former Olympic Snowboarder Ryan Wedding Arrested in Mexico on Drug Trafficking Charges
Canadian ex-Olympian Ryan Wedding, 44, was arrested in Mexico and accused of leading a violent Sinaloa Cartel-linked drug empire. The FBI had offered $15 million for his capture.
Canadian Ex-Olympian Arrested in Mexico as Alleged Drug Kingpin
Ryan James Wedding, a 44-year-old Canadian former Olympic snowboarder, was arrested Thursday night in Mexico, FBI Director Kash Patel announced Friday, according to nbcnews.com. Authorities allege Wedding had been living as a fugitive in Mexico for more than a decade while running a transnational drug trafficking operation linked to the Sinaloa Cartel.
Patel said Wedding had shipped hundreds of kilograms of cocaine from Colombia, through Mexico and Southern California, to the United States and Canada. "He went from an Olympic snowboarder to the largest narco-trafficker in modern times. He is a modern-day El Chapo, he is a modern-day Pablo Escobar, and he thought he could evade justice," Patel said at a news conference.
From the Podium to a Wanted List
Wedding represented Canada at the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City. Court documents allege his criminal activities began in 2008, six years after that appearance. Federal prosecutors said he travelled to San Diego with two other men to purchase cocaine, where the dealer they had arranged to meet was working undercover for the FBI.
Wedding was arrested and convicted of conspiracy to distribute cocaine following a November 2009 trial. He was sentenced to 48 months in federal prison and released in December 2011. Authorities say he founded his criminal drug enterprise shortly after that release.
In March, he was added to the FBI's Ten Most Wanted fugitives list, with a $15 million reward offered for information leading to his arrest or prosecution. Attorney General Pam Bondi confirmed Wedding had been flown to the United States, stating he "will face justice." She also thanked Ambassador Ron Johnson and Mexican authorities for their cooperation.
Wedding is scheduled to make his first court appearance on Monday.
Murders, Witnesses and a Bounty
Akil Davis, assistant director of the FBI's Los Angeles field office, said Wedding's organisation is responsible for shipping approximately 60 metric tons of cocaine through Southern California. Wedding is also accused of orchestrating "multiple murders of victims and government witnesses."
One alleged victim was a federal witness set to testify against Wedding. Authorities say Wedding placed a bounty on the witness's head and used a Canadian website to locate him and his wife. The witness was fatally shot at a restaurant. A grand jury indictment unsealed in November charged Wedding in connection with that killing.
"We told you in November we would find Mr. Wedding. And today that day has arrived," Davis told reporters.
A September 2024 superseding indictment had previously charged Wedding with attempted murder and additional counts tied to the alleged drug enterprise.
Sweeping Seizures and Ongoing Investigation
Authorities have arrested 36 people in connection with the organisation, Davis said. The U.S. Treasury Department has sanctioned 19 individuals, including Wedding himself.
Los Angeles Police Department Chief Jim McDonnell said investigators have seized more than 2,300 kilograms of cocaine, 44 kilograms of methamphetamine, 44 kilograms of fentanyl, eight firearms, and over $55 million in illicit assets over the course of the investigation.
Last month, Mexican authorities seized dozens of motorcycles estimated to be worth $40 million that Wedding was believed to own. Two Olympic medals, two vehicles, drugs, artwork and other items were also seized at various locations in Mexico City.
Davis said investigators are still seeking multiple other suspects. The State Department is offering a $2 million reward for information leading to additional arrests.
Source: Google News MT — Crime (en)