In a dramatic international development, former Canadian Olympic snowboarder Ryan Wedding has been arrested after featuring prominently on the FBI's Ten Most Wanted fugitives list. The arrest concludes a significant manhunt for the 44-year-old athlete-turned-alleged crime figure, who authorities accuse of orchestrating dozens of murders across multiple continents to further a sophisticated drug trafficking operation.
From Olympic Glory to FBI's Most Wanted
Ryan Wedding represented Canada in snowboarding at the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, competing on the world's grandest athletic stage. His dramatic fall from grace saw him transition from Olympic athlete to one of America's most sought-after fugitives, with the FBI placing him on their prestigious Ten Most Wanted list and offering a substantial $15 million reward for information leading to his capture and conviction.
Global Criminal Enterprise Allegations
Authorities allege Wedding operated a transnational drug trafficking network that utilized semitrucks to transport cocaine between Colombia, Mexico, Southern California, and Canada. The criminal charges against him paint a picture of a sophisticated operation that extended across international borders and involved multiple jurisdictions.
The allegations against Wedding include:
- Ordering dozens of murders across the United States, Canada, and Latin America
- Running an extensive drug trafficking operation moving cocaine internationally
- Witness tampering, intimidation, and money laundering
- Using aliases including "El Jefe," "Public Enemy," and "James Conrad Kin"
Chilling Witness Intimidation Case
One particularly disturbing allegation involves Wedding and co-conspirators allegedly using a Canadian website called The Dirty News to post a photograph of a witness for identification purposes. According to authorities, this witness was subsequently followed to a restaurant in Medellín in January and shot in the head, demonstrating the serious nature of the witness tampering charges.
Legal History and Current Charges
Wedding's legal troubles are not new. Federal records show he was previously convicted in the United States of conspiracy to distribute cocaine and served prison time in 2010. His criminal history extends further, with separate drug trafficking charges in Canada dating back to 2015 according to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.
In November 2025, U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi unveiled a new indictment against Wedding, adding fresh charges including murder, witness tampering, intimidation, money laundering, and additional drug trafficking allegations. This expanded the already substantial case against the former Olympian.
Arrest and Official Announcement
Wedding was apprehended in Mexico according to official sources, with his arrest expected to be formally announced at a news conference featuring FBI Director Kash Patel in California. The capture represents a significant victory for international law enforcement cooperation and concludes what had become one of the highest-profile fugitive hunts in recent years.
The case highlights how individuals can dramatically transition from celebrated public figures to subjects of intense international law enforcement attention, with Wedding's journey from Olympic athlete to alleged global crime figure representing one of the most startling transformations in recent criminal history.
