Ryan Wedding, a former Canadian Olympic snowboarder, has been placed on the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list, with a $10 million reward now being offered for his arrest. Authorities allege that Wedding led a multinational drug trafficking network while also orchestrating multiple violent crimes.
Now 43, Wedding once competed on the global stage for Canada in the 2002 Winter Olympics. However, law enforcement officials say he transitioned into organized crime, overseeing a large-scale drug operation that smuggled cocaine from Colombia into Mexico before distributing it throughout the United States and Canada. Investigators also claim his network was responsible for transporting massive amounts of fentanyl, with estimates reaching five metric tonnes per month.
Wedding’s alleged activities extend beyond drug distribution. Authorities accuse him of ordering multiple murders, including a fatal attack in Ontario, Canada, where two individuals lost their lives, and another victim suffered critical injuries. Law enforcement believes the shooting stemmed from a mistaken attempt at retaliation over a missing drug shipment.
The FBI has identified Wedding as a highly dangerous fugitive with strong ties to criminal organizations. Recently released images depict him with distinctive tattoos, expensive accessories, and high-end clothing. While authorities suspect he is hiding in Mexico, possibly with cartel protection, they have not ruled out other locations, including Canada, the U.S., and Central or South America.
During a press briefing in Los Angeles, officials emphasized the urgency of capturing Wedding. “Raising the reward to this level is a clear indication of how seriously we are taking this case,” said Akil Davis, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s Los Angeles office. “We are committed to bringing him to justice.”
Investigators believe Wedding has been linked to at least three killings, but officials suggest there may be additional crimes connected to his network. Law enforcement agencies have also raised concerns about witness intimidation by Wedding’s associates, heightening the risks involved in the investigation.
Authorities have charged 15 of Wedding’s alleged accomplices in connection with his criminal enterprise. His reported second-in-command, Andrew Clark, was arrested in Mexico and recently extradited to the United States. Clark had initially been released on bail before being recaptured and turned over to U.S. custody.
Several co-defendants remain in Canada, awaiting extradition, while others are scheduled for trial in Los Angeles later this year. The case has become more complex following the murder of key witness Jonathan Acebedo-Garcia, a Canadian-Colombian drug trafficker, who was killed in Colombia earlier this year.
With the cooperation of the U.S. State Department, Canadian law enforcement, and Mexican authorities, the FBI is urging the public to come forward with any information on Wedding’s whereabouts. Tips can be submitted through secure communication channels or reported to law enforcement.
Authorities remain determined to locate and arrest Wedding. “We will not rest until he is in custody,” Davis affirmed.
Image is in the public domain and was created by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
.webp){kind=link}