Former Olympian Ryan Wedding Arrested, Faces Federal Charges in Drug Trafficking and Murder Case
Ryan Wedding, a 44-year-old former Canadian Olympic snowboarder, has been arrested in Mexico and transported to the United States to face federal charges. He stands accused of leading a transnational drug trafficking organization, allegedly responsible for moving significant quantities of cocaine, and is charged with multiple counts of murder and witness tampering. Wedding appeared in a U.S. federal court on Monday and pleaded not guilty to all charges.
Arrest and Initial Court Appearance
Ryan Wedding, who competed for Canada in the 2002 Winter Olympics, was arrested in Mexico and subsequently transported to the United States. Mexican authorities initially reported that Wedding, a Canadian citizen, voluntarily surrendered at the U.S. embassy in Mexico City on a Thursday. However, his attorney later denied these reports.
The FBI stated it collaborated with Mexican authorities in the apprehension, which was described as a year-long international effort also involving authorities from Canada, Colombia, and the Dominican Republic.
The FBI described Wedding's apprehension as a year-long international effort, involving authorities from Canada, Colombia, and the Dominican Republic.
Wedding made his initial court appearance on Monday in Santa Ana, California, where he pleaded not guilty to all 17 felony charges. His attorney, Anthony Colombo, did not request bail at this time but indicated the possibility of seeking it later. The court appearance was held in Santa Ana due to ongoing protests near the federal building in Los Angeles. Wedding is scheduled for his next court appearance in Los Angeles on February 9.
Allegations and Charges
Wedding faces charges of leading a transnational drug-trafficking network, which was added to the FBI's "Ten Most Wanted Fugitives" list in March. The U.S. Department of Justice and other officials have accused this organization of moving an estimated 60 metric tonnes of cocaine annually from Colombia, through Mexico, to the United States and Canada. The operation allegedly generated over $1 billion annually in illegal drug proceeds.
Federal prosecutors contend that Wedding collaborated with Mexico's Sinaloa Cartel and was residing in Mexico under their protection. He is also alleged to have used several aliases, including "El Jefe," and to have undergone plastic surgery while allegedly evading capture.
Federal prosecutors contend that Wedding collaborated with Mexico's Sinaloa Cartel and was residing in Mexico under their protection.
The charges against Wedding include:
- Running a criminal enterprise.
- Various drug-trafficking offenses, including conspiracy to distribute cocaine.
- Attempted murder.
- Witness tampering and intimidation.
- Money laundering.
- Conspiracy to commit murder.
Specific murder allegations include:
- Orchestrating the killing of a federal witness in Colombia, reportedly in January, to prevent his extradition to the U.S. A Canadian website was allegedly used to post the witness's photograph.
- Directing the murders of two individuals in Ontario, Canada, in November 2023, reportedly due to a stolen drug shipment.
- Ordering the killing of another person in Canada in May 2024 related to a drug debt.
Prior History and Ongoing Investigation
Wedding was previously convicted in the U.S. for conspiracy to distribute cocaine following a November 2009 trial, receiving a 48-month sentence. He was released from federal prison in December 2011. Federal law enforcement alleges that he established his current criminal drug enterprise after this release, with his alleged criminal activities dating back to 2008. He also faces separate drug charges in Canada dating back to 2015.
The FBI had offered a $15 million reward for information leading to Wedding's arrest or conviction. FBI officials have reported additional law enforcement actions related to the investigation:
- 36 individuals associated with Wedding's alleged criminal organization have been arrested.
- Millions of dollars in drugs, cash, weapons, vehicles, artwork, and jewelry have been confiscated.
- A $2 million reward is offered for information leading to additional arrests of other individuals involved with the organization.
- Mexican authorities recently seized dozens of motorcycles, estimated to be worth $40 million, along with two Olympic medals, two vehicles, drugs, and artwork from various locations in Mexico City, believed to be owned by Wedding.
The alleged group is described as a significant supplier of cocaine to Canada, reportedly obtaining cocaine from Colombia, collaborating with Mexican cartels for transport by boat and plane to Mexico, and then moving drugs into the U.S. using semitrucks. It is further alleged that cocaine was stored in Southern California before distribution to Canada and other U.S. states.