Feds Arrest Fugitive Olympic Snowboarder Turned Drug Lord
Former Olympic snowboarder Ryan Wedding, who allegedly transformed into a significant drug trafficker, was arrested in Mexico. U.S. officials confirmed the apprehension took place on a recent Thursday night in Mexico City. Wedding, who spent over a decade evading justice, was on the FBI’s “Ten Most Wanted Fugitives” list.
Details of the Arrest
U.S. authorities announced Wedding’s capture during a press conference at Ontario International Airport. The FBI’s Deputy Director Kash Patel emphasized the severity of Wedding’s actions, comparing him to notorious figures like El Chapo and Pablo Escobar. Patel stated, “He thought he could evade justice.”
Drug Trafficking Operations
Wedding’s organization allegedly used Los Angeles as a hub for distributing large amounts of illegal drugs. According to authorities, the operation shipped approximately 60 metric tons of cocaine into the U.S. and Canada. Significant seizures linked to his network include:
- 2,300 kilograms of cocaine
- 44 kilograms of methamphetamine
- 44 kilograms of fentanyl
- Eight firearms
- More than $55 million in illicit assets
Los Angeles Police Chief Jim McDonnell highlighted that the operation jeopardized communities across borders, disrupting a major narcotics pipeline. Wedding reportedly ordered the killings of witnesses against him, including a victim murdered in Medellín, Colombia, in January 2025.
Ongoing Investigations and Arrests
The FBI has charged 36 individuals associated with Wedding’s organization, while the Treasury Department has sanctioned 19, including Wedding himself. The Department of Justice stated Wedding’s operation generated over $1 billion annually in illegal drug proceeds. There are ongoing investigations into how Wedding collaborated with Colombian paramilitary groups and Mexican cartels to facilitate drug distribution.
Authorities expect that Wedding’s arrest could lead to further insights into the operations of his drug trafficking organization, termed the “Wedding Criminal Enterprise.”
Background of Ryan Wedding
Ryan Wedding, who represented Canada in the 2002 Winter Olympics held in Salt Lake City, now faces serious federal charges. His aliases included “El Jefe,” “Public Enemy,” and “James Conrad Kin.” As law enforcement intensifies its crackdown on drug trafficking networks, this arrest underscores the ongoing commitment to disrupt significant criminal operations impacting both the U.S. and Canada.
International Cooperation
The capture of Wedding coincides with an overall strategy by U.S. and Mexican authorities to expedite the extradition of cartel suspects. In recent months, the Mexican government has expedited transfers of high-ranking cartel members to the U.S. for prosecution as part of a concerted effort to combat drug trafficking.
As investigations continue, authorities are hopeful that the recent developments will bring justice to the families affected by Wedding’s criminal actions.
