Ryan Wedding added to FBI's most wanted list Former Canadian Olympian
Ryan James Wedding had once been celebrated on snowy Olympic slopes. Now, authorities describe him as a ruthless drug trafficker — one of the FBI’s Top Ten Most Wanted fugitives.
Wedding, who competed for Canada in the 2002 Winter Olympics, is accused of heading a powerful and violent criminal enterprise. Federal prosecutors say his network moves massive quantities of cocaine from Colombia, through Mexico, and into both Canada and the United States. Justice.gov+2The Guardian+2
The U.S. Department of Treasury recently sanctioned Wedding and nine of his associates, claiming they launder money using cryptocurrency and funnel their wealth through shell companies. U.S. Department of the Treasury
In a fresh indictment, the Justice Department charged him with orchestrating the murder of a witness — allegedly having a man killed in Colombia to prevent his testimony. Justice.gov Ten other people were arrested as part of this case, including lawyers and suspected lieutenants. Justice.gov
The U.S. government isn’t just coming after him with handcuffs — there's also a $15 million reward for anyone who provides information leading to his capture. U.S. Department of the Treasury+1
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Why is Wedding so dangerous? Officials say he’s not just trafficking drugs — he’s ordering hits. The Treasury report claims he’s behind numerous killings in the U.S., Canada, and Latin America, allegedly protected by connections with the Sinaloa Cartel in Mexico. EL PAÍS English+2Justice.gov+2
This isn’t merely the fall of a former athlete — it’s the rise of a high-stakes criminal at the center of a global drug pipeline.
Wedding’s transformation from Olympian to alleged narco-boss is a disturbing reminder: sometimes, the greatest glory can lead to the darkest places.
U.S. Treasury sanctions on Ryan Wedding U.S. Department of the Treasury
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DOJ indictment and arrests in “Operation Giant Slalom” Justice.gov
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FBI most-wanted listing details Federal Bureau of Investigation+1
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The Guardian profile on his criminal enterprise The Guardian