Ryan Wedding: Ex-Olympian and Alleged Drug Kingpin Arrested in Mexico

Sat Jan 24 2026 13:12:23 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Ryan Wedding, a former Canadian Olympic snowboarder, has been arrested in Mexico after years on the run, facing multiple charges related to drug trafficking and murder.

Ryan Wedding, a Canadian Olympic snowboarder turned alleged drug kingpin, was arrested in Mexico after years as a fugitive. Accused of leading a transnational cocaine trafficking operation and murder, he is expected to be extradited to the U.S. where he faces severe charges. His arrest is a significant collaborative effort between U.S., Canadian, and Mexican authorities.

Former Canadian Olympic snowboarder and alleged drug kingpin Ryan Wedding has been arrested in Mexico and will be extradited to the U.S. after years on the run, according to FBI Director Kash Patel.

Wedding, who had been on the FBI's Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list, is accused of running a transnational drug trafficking operation that moved tonnes of cocaine across international borders. With an age of 44, he was also wanted on murder charges, with reports suggesting he was living in Mexico under the protection of the Sinaloa drug cartel.

The head of Canada's federal police, which assisted in the investigation, praised the law enforcement operation during a press conference. No single agency or nation can combat transnational organized crime alone, stated Mike Duheme, Commissioner of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), who emphasized the significance of Wedding's capture for community safety.

Wedding is alleged to have been involved in importing approximately 60 metric tonnes of cocaine annually, making his organization a key supplier in Canada and a considerable criminal enterprise across North America and parts of Latin America. Officials claim that his criminal activities began after his release from U.S. federal prison in 2011, where he served time for a previous drug-related conviction.

Before his arrest, he was charged with murder linked to a federal witness who was set to testify against him, as well as other offenses such as witness tampering, intimidation, money laundering, and drug trafficking. His notoriety was underlined by the FBI's $15 million reward for information leading to his capture.

News of his arrest emerged after he reportedly turned himself in at the U.S. embassy in Mexico City, following a life of luxury that included expensive asset seizures by authorities. Investigators found properties and items valued into the tens of millions, including rare luxury vehicles and artworks.

Patel described Wedding as a modern-day Pablo Escobar, mirroring comparisons to infamous drug lord Joaquín El Chapo Guzmán. Following his arrest, authorities noted that ongoing collaborations would continue to ensure the capture of fugitives like Wedding.