A former Olympic snowboarder has been indicted by federal authorities for allegedly overseeing an international drug trafficking organization responsible for bringing in large quantities of cocaine into the United States and was also implicated in “several murders.”
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California made the announcement on Thursday regarding the charges against 43-year-old Ryan James Wedding, a native of Canada who is thought to be on the run in Mexico. The allegations include murder, operating a criminal enterprise, and conspiring to possess, sell, and ship cocaine.
According to prosecutors, Wedding’s network trafficked cocaine from Colombia through Mexico and the Los Angeles region, eventually distributing it across the U.S. and Canada using long-haul trucks. With multiple aliases, including “El Jefe,” “Giant,” and “Public Enemy,” Wedding’s group allegedly “resorted to violence – including multiple murders – to fulfill their objectives,” as stated by authorities.
Wedding, alongside his associate Andrew Clark, is accused of orchestrating the murders of two individuals in Ontario, Canada, in November 2023 in response to a stolen drug shipment. Additionally, a third person was injured in the shooting. They also allegedly ordered the killing of another person in May 2024 due to an unpaid drug debt.
“(Wedding) made the choice to become a significant drug trafficker and a murderer,” U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada stated in a press conference. “They became killers, targeting anyone who crossed their path with violence, including murder.”
Wedding represented Canada at the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, participating in the parallel giant slalom event. He is among 16 individuals charged related to the trafficking operation. Clark was apprehended in Mexico in October, but four others, including Wedding, are still on the run. In the investigation, authorities have recovered over one ton of cocaine, alongside firearms, ammunition, $255,400 in cash, and more than $3.2 million in cryptocurrency.
The Olympian is also encountering drug-related charges in Canada. Previously, he was convicted of cocaine distribution conspiracy and sentenced to prison in 2010, as reported by The Associated Press. Estrada noted that after his release, Wedding continued his involvement in drug trafficking, finding protection from the Sinaloa Cartel in Mexico.
The FBI is offering a reward of $50,000 for any information that could lead to Wedding’s capture, arrest, and extradition.
