Canadian snowboarder and a former Olympic athlete, Ryan Wedding, is now the primary suspect in an international drug cartel investigation, accused of leading a violent network responsible for murders and trafficking large quantities of Colombian cocaine from Mexico into the United States and Canada.
The 43-year-old, who competed in the 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Olympics, is wanted by both the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Canada’s Royal Canadian Mounted Police, who issued a joint statement on Thursday.
Authorities claim that Wedding is behind the killings of three individuals, including a tragic case in 2023 where an Ontario couple was mistakenly targeted.
He is also charged with drug trafficking and other violent crimes, including one count of attempted murder.
The FBI has described Wedding as “armed and dangerous” and is offering a reward of up to $50,000 for information leading to his capture. It’s believed that Wedding has fled to Mexico to evade arrest.
Special Agent in Charge of the Los Angeles division of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Matthew Allen, expressed concern over the severity of the crimes linked to Wedding’s cartel.
“Mr. Wedding and his accomplices have triggered an avalanche of violent crimes, including brutal murders,” he stated.
Highlighting Wedding’s fall from grace, Allen added that the former snowboarder “went from navigating slopes to contouring a life of incessant crimes.”
Wedding, also known by the aliases “El Jefe,” “Giant,” and “Public Enemy,” faces eight felony charges.
His cartel is accused of transporting Colombian cocaine across borders using trucks and stash houses, alongside Andrew Clarke, another Canadian citizen.
The criminal enterprise is said to have orchestrated several shootings in Peel Region, a Toronto suburb, as part of their violent operations.
While law enforcement intensifies the search, officials warn the public to stay vigilant as the fugitive remains on the loose.
