A former Canadian Olympic snowboarder, Ryan James Wedding, is wanted in the US for his involvement in a drug trafficking ring that spanned across the Americas. The FBI is offering a $50,000 reward for information leading to his arrest and extradition. Wedding, who is currently living in Mexico, is facing charges in the United States for running a criminal enterprise, murder, and conspiring to distribute cocaine, among other crimes.
Authorities have stated that Wedding’s group was responsible for moving large shipments of cocaine from Colombia through Mexico and California to Canada and other locations in the US using long-haul semi-trucks. Wedding is one of 16 people charged in connection with this drug trafficking ring, which moved an estimated 60 tons of cocaine annually. Four of the individuals involved remain fugitives.
According to Martin Estrada, the US Attorney in Los Angeles, Wedding made the choice to become a major drug trafficker and a killer. The FBI, along with other law enforcement agencies, has arrested a dozen individuals in Florida, Michigan, Canada, Colombia, and Mexico in connection with this case. The group is alleged to have been involved in the killing of two members of a family in Canada as retaliation for a stolen drug shipment, as well as at least one other person.
In addition to the arrests, authorities have seized cocaine, weapons, ammunition, cash, and over $3 million in cryptocurrency as part of their investigation. Wedding, who represented Canada in the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, also faces separate drug trafficking charges in Canada dating back to 2015.
Chris Leather, chief superintendent with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, stated that the charges against Wedding in Canada are still pending. Wedding has a previous conviction in the US for conspiracy to distribute cocaine and served time in prison in 2010. It is believed by US authorities that he resumed his drug trafficking activities after his release and has been receiving protection from the Sinaloa Cartel in Mexico.
The case involving Ryan James Wedding highlights the complex and far-reaching nature of international drug trafficking networks. It serves as a reminder of the ongoing efforts by law enforcement agencies to dismantle such criminal organizations and bring those responsible to justice.
