Ryan Wedding, a former Canadian Olympic snowboarder, has been arrested in Mexico after being a fugitive for over a decade. The 44-year-old, who competed in the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, is now facing numerous serious charges including drug trafficking and the murder of a federal witness.
Wedding’s arrest was confirmed by U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi and FBI Director Kash Patel, who revealed that he was taken into custody on Thursday night. Wedding was among the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted Fugitives, with authorities offering a significant reward of $15 million for information leading to his capture. After his arrest, he is being transported back to the United States for prosecution.
Patel emphasized the significance of the arrest, stating that it marks a notable step toward ensuring safety in North America and sends a stark warning to those involved in criminal activities. Following his arrest, Patel was poised to hold a news conference in California, offering more details about the case and the operations to capture Wedding.
Reports indicate that Wedding had been hiding in Mexico since evading authorities after his previous conviction for conspiracy to distribute cocaine, for which he served prison time in 2010. Following his release, he allegedly resumed drug trafficking activities under the protection of the notorious Sinaloa Cartel. In 2024, he was indicted for running a drug trafficking operation involving the transportation of cocaine between Colombia, Mexico, Southern California, and Canada. His criminal aliases included “El Jefe” and “Public Enemy.”
In a shocking twist, authorities revealed that Wedding is also charged with orchestrating the murder of a witness in Colombia to evade extradition to the U.S. Allegedly, he and his accomplices used social media to identify the victim, who was later assassinated in Medellín.
In addition to his troubles in the U.S., Wedding faces separate drug trafficking charges in Canada that date back to 2015. His arrest could signal a turning point in ongoing law enforcement efforts to combat drug trafficking in North America, showcasing a firm commitment to justice.