Former Olympic Snowboarder Arrested for Drug Trafficking and Murder Plot
Ryan Wedding, a former Canadian Olympic snowboarder, has been apprehended in Mexico on serious charges, including drug trafficking and orchestrating the murder of a federal witness. The arrest was confirmed by FBI Director Kash Patel.
Details of the Arrest
The 44-year-old athlete, who represented Canada at the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, was detained on Thursday. Wedding had been listed among the FBI’s 10 Most Wanted fugitives, with a substantial $15 million (£11 million) reward offered for information leading to his capture and conviction.
Accusations and Criminal Activity
Authorities allege that Wedding led a significant drug trafficking network and was involved in multiple murders to further his drug operations. Reports indicate that he resided in Mexico for over a decade, allegedly under the protection of the notorious Sinaloa cartel, facilitating the smuggling of large amounts of narcotics into both the United States and Canada.
FBI Director Patel described Wedding as “the largest narco trafficker in modern times,” equating him to infamous drug lords like Joaquin ‘El Chapo’ Guzman and Pablo Escobar. Wedding, who finished 24th in the Olympic parallel giant slalom, is currently being transported to the US for prosecution.
Known Crimes and Charges
In 2024, Wedding was charged with leading a drug operation that transported tonnes of cocaine annually from Colombia to markets in the US and Canada using long-haul trucks. Among the aliases he allegedly used are El Jefe, Public Enemy, and James Conrad King.
Additionally, in November, he faced charges related to orchestrating the assassination of a witness in Colombia, a plot designed to evade extradition. Prosecutors claim he and his associates used a Canadian website, The Dirty News, to identify and locate the victim, who was ultimately murdered in Medellin.
Previous Convictions and Charges
In Canada, Wedding also confronts separate drug trafficking charges dating back to 2015, as reported by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. He had previously been convicted in the United States for conspiracy to distribute cocaine and served time in prison until his release in 2010, after which he reportedly resumed drug trafficking activities.
Background
The case of Ryan Wedding highlights the ongoing challenges posed by international drug trafficking networks and the violence associated with such criminal enterprises. His capture marks a significant moment in the fight against drug-related crime, particularly as it connects to established cartel operations affecting both North America and beyond.
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