Ryan Wedding, a former Olympic snowboarder, has been placed on the FBI's 10 Most Wanted list for allegedly running a violent transnational drug trafficking network, with federal authorities offering a substantial reward for information leading to his arrest.
Ex-Olympian Emerges as Key Figure in Drug Trafficking Network
Ex-Olympian Emerges as Key Figure in Drug Trafficking Network
Former Canadian snowboarder Ryan Wedding named by FBI for leading a violent drug operation.
In a shocking turn of events, Ryan Wedding, a 43-year-old former Canadian Olympic snowboarder, has found himself at the center of a controversial FBI investigation tied to drug trafficking activities. The agency has placed him among its 10 most wanted fugitives, accusing him of masterminding a violent and expansive drug network.
According to FBI reports, Wedding is alleged to have orchestrated the trafficking of hundreds of kilograms of cocaine, routing shipments from Colombia through Mexico and southern California, ultimately aiming for distribution across Canada and various locations in the United States. The FBI claims that Wedding is also intimately connected to a series of murders tied to these drug operations.
A staggering reward of up to $10 million has been offered by U.S. authorities for information that could lead to Wedding's capture or conviction. Investigators suspect he may be residing in Mexico, though they have not dismissed the possibility of his presence in the US, Canada, or other regions throughout Latin America.
Wedding, who represented Canada in the Giant Slalom snowboarding event during the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, is reported to have multiple aliases, including "El Jefe," "Public Enemy," and "Giant." His criminal activities reportedly came to light following a June 2024 indictment in California with accomplice Andrew Clark, 34, both facing severe charges linked to drug trafficking and multiple murder counts.
The indictment details the pair's involvement in the targeted killings of two family members in Ontario, Canada, as retaliation for a stolen drug shipment from southern California. A survivor from the incident suffered serious injuries, a situation that has raised alarm bells regarding Wedding's perceived danger.
FBI officials emphasize the seriousness of the situation. "The alleged murders of his competitors make Wedding a very dangerous man," stated Akil Davis, assistant director of the FBI's Los Angeles Field Office. "Our collaboration with the public through this reward program is crucial to ensure he is apprehended before he can inflict harm on others."
