Former Canadian Olympic snowboarder Ryan James Wedding has been implicated as the chief operator of a notorious drug trafficking organization, accused of distributing cocaine throughout the Americas and being involved in multiple murders.
The athlete turned criminal-is currently evading arrest, with a substantial reward offered for information leading to his capture, New York Post reported.
Ryan Wedding, who represented Canada in the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, has taken a dark turn from sports to illicit activities. At 43 years old, he was last known to be residing in Mexico.
U.S. authorities have charged Wedding with several grave offenses, including running a criminal empire responsible for murder and massive cocaine distribution.
Wedding's alleged criminal network efficiently moved large quantities of cocaine from Colombia, through Mexico and California, and into Canada, as well as other destinations across the U.S.
They reportedly utilized long-haul semi-trucks to transport their illegal cargo, camouflaging their operations under the guise of legitimate transportation.
One of the most chilling aspects of Wedding's criminal undertakings involves the murder of two family members in Canada. Authorities suggest that these murders were the result of mistaken identity, intended as retaliation in response to a stolen drug shipment. This incident highlights the brutal lengths to which Wedding’s organization was willing to go to protect their interests.
This is not Wedding's first brush with the law regarding drug-related offenses. He previously faced unresolved trafficking charges in Canada from 2015, described by Chief Superintendent Chris Leather as "very much unresolved."
Furthermore, Wedding's criminal history includes a conviction for conspiracy to distribute cocaine in the U.S. in 2010, followed by a prison sentence from which he was released and reportedly resumed his criminal activities.
U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada and FBI Special Agent Krysti Hawkins recently publicized arrests and seizures connected to Wedding’s cartel.
They have recovered not just cocaine, but also weapons, cash, and over $3 million in cryptocurrency. Estrada pointedly remarked about Wedding, stating, “He chose to become a major drug trafficker and he chose to become a killer.”
The FBI has labeled Ryan James Wedding a fugitive and is offering a $50,000 reward for information leading to his arrest and extradition. Reports suggest that he has found protection under the Sinaloa Cartel in Mexico, complicating efforts to apprehend him.
Alongside Wedding, authorities have implicated various individuals in the vast network dealing drugs under his directive. Notably, they have accused Nahim Jorge Bonilla, among others, of conspiring to distribute cocaine and methamphetamine as part of Wedding’s operation. These arrests form part of a larger effort to dismantle the trafficking network from the top down.
Ryan Wedding’s journey from Olympian to fugitive underscores a dramatic fall from grace. He swapped snowboarding for a starkly contrasting reality—one mired in criminality and evasion from law enforcement agencies that are acutely intent on capturing him.
The international manhunt highlights the severe consequences awaiting those who pivot from sporting accolades to the murky depths of organized criminal enterprises.
Authorities continue to mount challenges against Ryan Wedding as they close in on his operation, seeking to curb his extensive and deadly influence across the Americas.
As the case unfolds, the international community watches closely, awaiting the next developments in the saga of an Olympian’s descent into notoriety.
