The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) is actively pursuing an investigation into Ryan Wedding, a former Canadian Olympic snowboarder turned fugitive and alleged cocaine kingpin, with hopes of laying criminal charges in Canada. Following recent indictments in the United States connected to Wedding’s organization, the RCMP has intensified its efforts to expose and prosecute criminal activities associated with him.
Superintendent Marie-Eve Lavallée, who leads the Eastern Region RCMP’s investigation based in Montreal, expressed the ambition to bring charges within Canada if sufficient evidence is obtained. The investigation into Wedding has been ongoing since at least 2006, and a warrant for his arrest was issued back in 2015. However, no additional charges have been set against him in recent years.
The joint initiative between the RCMP and the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation, named Operation Giant Slalom, began in July 2023 after the FBI sought RCMP assistance. This collaboration has led to approximately 30 arrests or ongoing efforts to apprehend suspects under U.S. laws, with at least a dozen individuals arrested in Canada, many contesting extradition. A number of Canadians linked to the indictments remain at large, including Wedding, who is reportedly hiding in Mexico under the Sinaloa cartel’s protection. The U.S. has announced a $15 million reward for his capture, branding him as a significant threat due to alleged involvement in numerous killings worldwide.
Liam Price, the RCMP’s director-general of International Special Services, stated that officers have been dispatched to Los Angeles, Mexico City, and Bogotá to enhance the FBI-led investigation. He emphasized the necessity of bringing Wedding to justice for public safety. As collaboration across jurisdictions continues, it is crucial that Canadian police establish their own charges when feasible, as highlighted by legal experts.
While U.S. authorities may dominate such investigations, the RCMP aims to ensure that Canadian interests are upheld within legal proceedings. The extradition of Canadians connected to Wedding’s network is currently underway, unfolding in various provinces such as Quebec, Ontario, and Alberta. Legal experts warn that these proceedings could be complicated by various factors, including the potential for the U.S. to seek the death penalty.
Despite these complexities, the ongoing cooperation between Canadian and American investigators represents a constructive step towards addressing organized crime, suggesting a broader commitment to public safety. Legal authorities maintain that while no charges have yet been laid in Canada, the focus should be on disrupting criminal networks rather than solely on proceeding with immediate prosecutions.