Ex-Olympic Snowboarder and FBI Fugitive Ryan Wedding Arrested
Former Canadian Olympic snowboarder Ryan Wedding has been apprehended after being listed as one of the FBI’s “Ten Most Wanted” fugitives. This significant arrest follows allegations of his involvement in a major criminal enterprise, which includes cocaine trafficking and murder.
Background on Ryan Wedding
Ryan Wedding represented Team Canada and competed in the 2002 Winter Olympics, finishing as the 24th-best parallel giant slalom snowboarder. However, his athletic achievements were overshadowed by serious criminal activities.
The Criminal Enterprise
Wedding was indicted on multiple charges, including:
- Running a large-scale criminal enterprise
- Cocaine trafficking
- Involvement in murder
Reports indicate that his operations extended across the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Colombia. The Attorney General noted that Wedding’s network was responsible for over $1 billion in illegal drug sales annually.
Investigation and Arrest
Law enforcement believed that Wedding had been hiding in Mexico, supposedly under the protection of the notorious Sinaloa cartel. His capture marks the culmination of a prolonged investigation into his extensive criminal activities.
Key Details
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Name | Ryan Wedding |
| Profession | Former Olympic Snowboarder |
| FBI Status | Ten Most Wanted Fugitive |
| Reward | $15 million |
| Criminal Charges | Cocaine trafficking, murder, running a criminal enterprise |
| Estimated Illegal Drug Proceeds | Over $1 billion annually |
| Last Known Location | Mexico |
Wedding’s arrest has been widely covered in the media, with NBC being one of the first outlets to report on this significant development. The cooperation between various law enforcement agencies played a critical role in bringing him to justice.
