Ryan Wedding, a former Canadian Olympic snowboarder, is now a fugitive on the run, wanted by the FBI for his alleged role in a vast transnational drug trafficking network. The 43-year-old, who competed in the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, is facing serious charges in the United States, including running a criminal enterprise, conspiring to distribute cocaine, and multiple counts of murder. Authorities believe Wedding is currently hiding in Mexico, and the FBI is offering a $50,000 reward for information leading to his arrest.
The transition of Ryan Wedding from athlete to wanted man is a startling development. In the men’s parallel giant slalom competition at the Salt Lake City Olympics, he competed on behalf of Canada and placed 24th. Nevertheless, criminal charges that cast a far darker light on his life beyond sports have eclipsed his reputation. U.S. prosecutors claim that Wedding grew to prominence as the head of a significant drug trafficking organization that was in charge of smuggling enormous amounts of cocaine over international boundaries. The group is charged with smuggling cocaine into Canada and other US states from Colombia via Mexico, Southern California, and other locations.
An incredible 60 tons of cocaine were allegedly trafficked annually by the criminal organization, with supplies concealed in long-haul trucks that crossed international borders. The FBI’s investigation into the organization, which was given the moniker enterprise Giant Slalom in honor of Wedding’s Olympic career, exposed the enterprise as widespread and vicious, with several killings purportedly committed to further its objectives.
Murder and Violence Tied to the Drug Network
Wedding faces accused of heading a criminal operation that organized many murders in connection with drug trafficking activities. Court documents show that two members of a Canadian family were wrongly targeted in a revenge attack over a stolen narcotics shipment. On November 20, 2023, a couple was murdered, and their daughter narrowly survived after being shot numerous times.
Additional violent instances tied to the drug network include a murder in Brampton, Ontario, in May 2024, in which a 39-year-old man was shot over a drug disagreement, and an execution-style death of a 29-year-old victim in Niagara Falls in April 2024. The alleged crimes highlight the organization’s ruthlessness, with police claiming it used violent means to secure its narcotics traffic.
A History of Criminal Allegations
This isn’t Ryan Wedding’s first encounter with the law. He was previously convicted in the United States in 2010 of conspiracy to distribute cocaine and received a prison sentence as part of a plea deal. Following his release, authorities suspect Wedding resumed his illegal operations, eventually ascending to the top of the drug trafficking group. Canadian law enforcement sources also stated that he is facing unrelated drug allegations from 2015 that have yet to be addressed.
Reports indicate that after his release from prison, Wedding operated under the protection of the Sinaloa Cartel in Mexico, a powerful criminal organization once led by infamous drug lord Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán. This association allegedly provided the former athlete with the means to continue his illegal operations and evade capture.
International Efforts to Bring Wedding to Justice
The current indictment released in Los Angeles charges Wedding and his colleagues with a variety of offenses, including conspiracy to export cocaine, managing a continuing criminal operation, and several counts of homicide in connection with the drug trade. Andrew Clark, Wedding’s accused right-hand man, was captured in Mexico on October 8, 2024, while other members of the group were apprehended in Florida, Michigan, Canada, and Colombia. During the investigation, authorities seized a considerable amount of cocaine, firearms, ammunition, and cash, as well as $3.2 million in cryptocurrencies.
The inquiry drew on the cooperation of law enforcement agencies from around North America, including the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), Ontario Provincial Police, and Brampton and Mississauga municipalities. Their combined efforts have revealed not just the scope of the criminal operation, but also its links to other unsolved shootings and deaths across Canada.
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The Manhunt Continues
Despite the international manhunt, Ryan Wedding is still at large. The former Olympian is deemed a dangerous fugitive, with a federal arrest warrant issued in the United States for September 2024. His last known location was Mexico, where he is believed to be receiving help from criminal networks. The FBI continues to look for leads and has requested anyone with information on Wedding’s location to come forward.
An Indictment Yet to Be Proven
As the search for Ryan Wedding grows, it is important to remember that the charges against him have yet to be proven in court. The indictment constitutes a formal charge, and all defendants, including Wedding, are deemed innocent until proven guilty. None of the accused have had the opportunity to defend themselves in court, and the allegations only cover one side of the tale.
The Ryan Wedding case serves as a stark reminder of how rapidly a famous figure’s life may shift from stardom to infamy. As the inquiry proceeds, the world will be watching attentively to see if the former Olympian is brought to justice.
