A former Olympic snowboarder, currently living as a fugitive in Mexico, is facing serious federal charges for allegedly orchestrating killings linked to a cocaine trafficking operation across North America. Ryan James Wedding, 43, represented Canada in the 2002 Winter Olympics but was previously convicted in 2010 for attempting to purchase cocaine from a federal agent. He is now wanted on eight felony charges, including murder tied to a criminal enterprise and drug offenses, detailed in a recent indictment involving 15 other defendants.
The FBI has offered a $50,000 reward for information leading to Wedding’s capture, labeling him as armed and dangerous. A federal arrest warrant was issued on September 17.
U.S. Attorney for the Central District of California, Martin Estrada, provided insights into the case during a news conference, describing Wedding’s operation as a “ruthless” drug ring responsible for billions in revenue and significant violence over the past 13 years. Several arrested co-defendants are expected to appear in court soon in various cities, including Miami and Los Angeles.
Ryan Clark, 34, a Canadian citizen alleged to be Wedding’s second-in-command, was arrested on October 8. The indictment reveals that in November 2023, Wedding and Clark allegedly ordered the execution of a couple from India, mistakenly believing they were accountable for a lost cocaine shipment. The victims were killed in front of their daughter, who was also seriously injured.
Investigators estimate that the trafficking network shipped approximately 60 tons of cocaine throughout North America. In recent shipments, authorities reported the transfer of hundreds of kilograms of cocaine with street values reaching up to $25 million. The operation allegedly involved multiple murders and utilized cryptocurrencies for laundering purposes, including a seizure of $3 million from a single digital wallet.
Prosecutors state that the cocaine, sourced from Colombia, was transported through Mexico before entering the U.S., with Los Angeles serving as a key distribution hub. Wedding has been described as having chosen a life of crime after achieving success in sports, with prosecutors noting that “he chose to become a major trafficker and he chose to become a killer.”
In May, Wedding and Clark allegedly ordered the assassination of a man shot while sitting in his car at home, with multiple victims connected to the drug enterprise reportedly executed in a similar manner. Wedding is known to use several aliases, including “Giant,” “El Jefe,” and “Public Enemy.”
Throughout the investigation, authorities have confiscated over a ton of cocaine, a substantial amount of cash, significant cryptocurrency, firearms, and ammunition.