Ryan James Wedding, a former Canadian Olympic snowboarder, is charged with leading a transnational drug trafficking organization involved in murder and large-scale cocaine distribution. The operation moved cocaine from Colombia through Mexico to North America, resulting in multiple execution-style killings. Wedding, now a fugitive, is believed to be in Mexico, protected by the Sinaloa Cartel.
Ryan James Wedding, once celebrated as an Olympic snowboarder, now leads a notorious criminal enterprise. Charged with multiple felonies including murder and drug trafficking, Wedding's organization has been responsible for the shipment of tons of cocaine and several brutal murders across the Americas. This transformation from an athlete to a criminal mastermind highlights a dramatic and dark turn in his life trajectory.
The indictment against Ryan Wedding outlines a vast network that trafficked large quantities of cocaine from Colombia, through Mexico, into the United States, and then to Canada. This operation, active from 2011 to 2024, was not just prolific in drug trafficking but also in its violent enforcement methods, including multiple murders to eliminate competition or retaliate against perceived threats. Wedding's leadership role in this empire showcases a significant shift from his days as an athlete, highlighting a deep entrenchment in organized crime.
The enforcement tactics of Wedding's organization were shockingly brutal. Authorities have linked the organization to several execution-style killings, including the tragic murder of a couple in front of their daughter, a horrifying act of mistaken identity. These acts of violence were not isolated incidents but part of a systematic approach to maintain control over their illicit operations and instill fear among associates and adversaries alike.
With a $50,000 reward for information leading to his capture, Ryan Wedding remains a fugitive, believed to be shielded by the Sinaloa Cartel in Mexico. The international law enforcement community, including the FBI and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, continues to pursue Wedding and his associates. If convicted, Wedding faces multiple life sentences, underscoring the severe consequences of his alleged crimes.
Ryan Wedding's transition from an Olympic athlete to a criminal mastermind of a violent drug trafficking empire is a stark reminder of how drastically life paths can diverge. His case also highlights the complex, dangerous nature of international drug trafficking and the severe impact it has on communities across multiple countries. The ongoing manhunt and potential life sentences awaiting Wedding and his co-defendants demonstrate the serious legal consequences of such criminal activities.
"He chose to become a major drug trafficker and a killer." - Martin Estrada, U.S. Attorney for the Central District of California