Olympian Turned Drug Kingpin
Federal authorities have intensified an international manhunt for Ryan Wedding, a former Canadian Olympic snowboarder now accused of orchestrating a massive transnational criminal enterprise. Described by law enforcement officials as a « modern-day iteration of Pablo Escobar, » Wedding has transitioned from competing in the 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Olympics to becoming a primary target on the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list.
The 43-year-old is alleged to be the head of a sophisticated drug trafficking network that spans Canada, the United States, Mexico, and Colombia. A superseding indictment unsealed in 2024 charges Wedding with running a continuing criminal enterprise, conspiring to distribute cocaine, and orchestrating multiple murders to protect the operation. Prosecutors allege that after his release from prison in 2011 for a previous drug conviction, he escalated his involvement to become a significant figure in the global drug trade.
In a major blow to the alleged operation, Mexican authorities recently seized approximately $40 million worth of motorcycles believed to belong to the fugitive. Intelligence reports suggest that Wedding is currently hiding in Mexico, allegedly under the protection of the Sinaloa Cartel.
The investigation, codenamed « Operation Giant Slalom, » has already resulted in the arrests of over a dozen individuals connected to the case. The United States government is offering a reward of up to $15 million for information leading to his arrest and conviction.
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