Ex-Olympic Athlete Allegedly Heads Large-Scale Drug Operation Across North America

Close-up of a single snowflake with intricate details.

Ryan Wedding, a former well-known Canadian snowboarder, is now a wanted man. The FBI has offered a $50,000 reward for information on this drug lord’s whereabouts. Wedding is accused of running a massive cocaine trafficking syndicate throughout North America. He has operations associated with the Sinaloa cartel in Mexico, Colombia, the United States, and Canada.

From snowboarder to Most Wanted

Ryan James Wedding, a Canadian Olympian, finished 24th in the men’s parallel giant slalom event at the 2002 Winter Olympics. He is now accused of leading a large cocaine trafficking ring known as “The Wedding Criminal Enterprise”. According to reports, this network transported cocaine from Colombia through Mexico and California before distributing it to Canada and parts of the United States.

 

The sheer volume of cocaine produced each year indicates a massive operation worth billions of dollars. US prosecutors have filed serious charges against Wedding in an attempt to dismantle this operation and its ties to the notorious Sinaloa Cartel.

Allegations of violence and criminal enterprises

Authorities accuse Wedding of not only drug trafficking, but also murder and attempted murder. Investigators claim he hired assassins and executed those who threatened his operations. Notably, an incident involving the mistaken identity killing of an Indian couple in Canada sparked widespread outrage.

Wedding was previously convicted of cocaine trafficking in 2009, raising questions about his actions during his brief absence from the scene. According to allegations, he resumed trafficking after being released, allegedly with cartel protection.

The Global Hunt for Justice

Investigations spanning several countries led to the arrest of 12 individuals. Wedding, however, remains elusive. A $50,000 reward seeks crucial information leading to his capture. U.S. authorities believe he’s among 16 charged in this crime web.

“He chose to become a major drug trafficker and a killer,” U.S. Atty. for the Central District of California Martin Estrada said during a news conference.

Throughout this investigation, law enforcement officials have seized large amounts of cocaine, weapons, and millions of dollars in assets, including cryptocurrency. Wedding is facing charges that carry severe penalties, including a mandatory life sentence.

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