Former Olympic Snowboarder Accused Of Running Multi-Billion Dollar Drug Trafficking Ring

A Canadian former Olympic snowboarder stands accused of running an extensive drug trafficking ring that was responsible for shipping around 60 tons of cocaine into the United States in addition to murdering multiple individuals, per federal officials. 

Ryan Wedding is a 43-year-old Canadian who has been living in Mexico. He and 15 other individuals were indicted Thursday for multiple charges, per ABC News. Wedding is currently considered a fugitive. The FBI is offering a reward of up to $50,000 for any information leading to his arrest.

U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada said during a press briefing that Wedding and his associates have been running a “prolific and ruthless” operation that’s responsible for shipping “literally tons of cocaine into the United States and Canada.” The organization was making billions of dollars in the drug trade, which they moved around using cryptocurrency.

“Ryan James Wedding is wanted for allegedly running and participating in a transnational drug trafficking operation that routinely shipped hundreds of kilograms of cocaine from Colombia, through Mexico and Southern California, to Canada, and other locations in the United States,” the FBI announced. “Additionally, it is alleged that Wedding was involved in orchestrating multiple murders in furtherance of these drug crimes.”

Wedding goes by aliases including “El Jefe,” “Giant,” and “Public Enemy.” He had formerly competed for Canada in the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City. He placed 24th in the parallel giant slalom and did not compete in future games. 

The former Olympic athlete is charged with eight felonies, including two counts of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, one count of conspiracy to export cocaine, one count of leading a continuing criminal enterprise, three counts of murder in connection with a continuing criminal enterprise and drug crime, and one count of attempt to commit murder in connection with a continuing criminal enterprise and drug crime. 

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The DOJ reports to have seized “more than one ton of cocaine” during the investigation and also recovered several weapons, more than $255,000 in cash, and $3.2 million in cryptocurrency.

“The Wedding Drug Trafficking Organization and its unremitting, callous and greed-driven crimes has been operating for far too long, spanning several countries, from Colombia through Mexico, the U.S. and to Canada,” said Matthew Allen, a special agent with the Drug Enforcement Agency. 

“They have triggered an avalanche of violent crimes, including brutal murders. Wedding, the Olympian snowboarder, went from navigating slopes to contouring a life of incessant crimes. DEA and our partners stand firmly in our resolve to dismantle his operation.”