Ryan Wedding, a 44-year-old Canadian former Olympic snowboarder, has been arrested and is now in custody, according to two law enforcement officials who spoke to NBC News on Friday. The arrest marks a significant development in a high-profile case that has drawn comparisons to notorious drug lords.
FBI Wanted for Alleged Transnational Drug Ring
The FBI had been seeking Wedding for his alleged involvement in a transnational drug ring. Attorney General Pam Bondi previously claimed in a press conference that this ring is responsible for smuggling approximately 60 metric tons of cocaine into Southern California. The scale of the operation has raised serious concerns among authorities.
Comparisons to Pablo Escobar and El Chapo
In a striking assessment, FBI Director Kash Patel has compared Wedding to infamous drug traffickers such as Pablo Escobar and Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán. This comparison underscores the perceived severity and reach of the alleged criminal activities linked to Wedding.
$15 Million Reward for Information
Prior to his arrest, there had been a substantial $15 million reward offered for information that could lead to Wedding’s arrest and prosecution. This large sum highlights the intense efforts by law enforcement to bring him to justice and dismantle the associated drug network.
Upcoming News Conference
A news conference is scheduled for Friday morning, where officials are expected to share more detailed information with the public about the arrest and the ongoing investigation. This event will likely provide further insights into the case and its implications.
The arrest of Ryan Wedding, once celebrated as an Olympic athlete, now places him at the centre of a major international drug trafficking scandal, with law enforcement agencies continuing their work to address the broader criminal enterprise.
