In a stunning turn of events, the FBI has placed former Canadian Olympian Ryan James Wedding on its Most Wanted list, accusing him of orchestrating a billion-dollar international drug trafficking empire and committing murder. Once celebrated for his athletic prowess as a snowboarder in the 2002 Winter Olympics, Wedding has transformed into a figure of infamy, now likened to notorious drug lords like Pablo Escobar.
According to an unsealed superseding indictment from the U.S. Department of Justice, Wedding is alleged to lead one of the most violent drug trafficking organizations in the world. Authorities claim he is responsible for flooding the United States with approximately 60 metric tons of cocaine annually—enough to weigh as much as 40 cars. This staggering volume of narcotics has positioned him as the largest distributor of cocaine in Canada.
The indictment details a chilling narrative, asserting that Wedding not only ran a drug empire but also orchestrated the murder of a federal witness who was set to testify against him. In January 2025, that witness was shot five times in the head at a restaurant in Medellín, Colombia. U.S. authorities allege that Wedding placed a $5 million bounty on the witness, employing a sophisticated operation to track him down, which included using a Canadian website for assistance.
Wedding’s descent into the criminal underworld reportedly began after his Olympic career ended. In 2008, he was arrested in California for trying to buy cocaine from an undercover agent, which led to a three-year prison sentence. After his release, authorities say he fled to Mexico and began building his drug trafficking network, collaborating closely with the notorious Sinaloa cartel. This partnership allowed him to expand his operations significantly, overseeing a complex logistics network that moved vast quantities of cocaine from Colombia through Mexico and into the United States.
Federal prosecutors have described Wedding’s organization as a sophisticated multinational drug trafficking ring, with a second-in-command, Andrew Clark, and numerous co-conspirators. The indictment outlines a pattern of violence and intimidation designed to maintain control and settle scores, including the brutal killings of associates who allegedly betrayed him.
The FBI is now intensifying its manhunt for Wedding, raising the reward for information leading to his capture to a staggering $15 million. He is believed to be hiding in Mexico, protected by the very cartel he is accused of working with. Authorities are facing significant challenges in their efforts to apprehend him, as the complexities of international law enforcement and potential cartel protection complicate the process.
The implications of this case reach far beyond Wedding himself. The U.S. Department of Justice has emphasized its commitment to dismantling such violent drug trafficking organizations and bringing their leaders to justice. A press conference led by Attorney General Pam Bondi and FBI Director Cash Patel underscored the severity of Wedding’s alleged crimes, characterizing him as a modern-day drug kingpin.
As this shocking story unfolds, the legal proceedings against Wedding and his associates promise to be complex and multi-layered. Prosecutors will need to navigate a web of international cooperation, witness testimony, and intricate criminal networks to secure convictions. The case serves as a stark reminder of how individuals can shift from public acclaim to infamy, revealing the darker underbelly of the drug trade.
