Mexican federal security forces have conducted searches at several locations associated with former Canadian Olympic snowboarder Ryan Wedding, who faces accusations of being a significant player in a multibillion-dollar drug cartel. Despite a comprehensive operation that revealed drugs, firearms, and high-end goods, the FBI’s most-wanted fugitive remains unlocated.
This week, Mexican authorities announced the raids on four properties in Mexico City and a nearby state thought to be tied to Wedding’s criminal network. During their operations, they found methamphetamine, marijuana, ammunition, various documents, artwork, and notably, 62 luxury motorcycles. They also seized two “Olympic medals,” although the origin of these medals wasn’t specified. Wedding, who represented Canada in the 2002 Winter Olympics, did not claim a medal, which raises questions about whether these items were trophies, collectibles, or perhaps linked to money laundering.
Wedding, 43, is sought in the U.S. on serious charges, including running a continuing criminal enterprise, large-scale cocaine trafficking, money laundering, and multiple murder orders related to his organization. His name appears on the FBI’s most wanted list, with a reward of up to $15 million offered for information leading to his capture—one of the largest bounties ever put out for a fugitive in Canada.
Back in November, it was reported that Wedding would be placed on a most-wanted list. FBI Director Kash Patel noted that Wedding, along with his associates, allegedly brought significant amounts of cocaine from Colombia into the U.S. through Mexico annually. He stated that this kind of criminal and violent behavior would not be overlooked, signaling that the FBI is committed to using its resources to find Wedding and hold him and his associates accountable.
U.S. officials indicate that Wedding operated under the auspices of the Sinaloa Cartel, an organization previously led by Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán. They have established a vast pipeline for smuggling Colombian cocaine into the markets of the United States and Canada. Authorities suspect he is hiding out somewhere in central Mexico, possibly in a wealthy suburb west of Mexico City.
The raid involved personnel from the Mexican Navy, National Guard, and Attorney General’s Office. The scale of the operation hints at significant U.S. pressure to make progress. However, despite the extensive efforts, Mexican authorities have yet to report any arrests or locate Wedding at the properties searched.
The network associated with Wedding is also under investigation in Canada. Recently, a Toronto criminal defense lawyer, Deepak Paradkar, was charged with advising on the murder of a federal witness linked to the alleged wedding trafficking operation. Paradkar has been granted bail as he contests extradition to the United States.
Wedding’s situation has sparked diplomatic tensions, with U.S. officials urging Mexico to intensify their search efforts. The FBI has initiated a social media campaign in Mexico City and nearby areas, featuring Spanish-language ads that highlight Wedding’s pictures and the corresponding rewards.
Currently, the former Olympian remains one of North America’s most elusive fugitives. It’s quite a stark contrast—he once represented his country on an international platform but now finds himself connected to a powerful drug cartel. And despite the recent raids, it seems authorities have yet to close in on him.
