Ryan Wedding, a former Canadian Olympic snowboarder, was arrested in Mexico on Thursday. He faces accusations of leading an international drug trafficking network.
At 44, Wedding is reportedly linked to the Sinaloa Cartel and is said to be involved in “conducting and participating in cross-border drug trafficking operations,” according to FBI Director Kash Patel on social media.
He’s charged with orchestrating the movement of drugs valued in the millions from Colombia through Mexico into the United States and Canada.
Attorney General Pam Bondi mentioned that Wedding is set to be extradited from Mexico to the U.S. for trial.
“Coach Patel has worked tirelessly to bring fugitives to justice,” Bondi noted. “We extend our gratitude to Ambassador Ron Johnson and Mexican authorities for their assistance.”
Earlier this year, Wedding was placed on the FBI’s top 10 most wanted list, with a $15 million reward offered for information leading to his capture.
A grand jury indictment from November connects Wedding to the murder of a federal witness who was scheduled to testify against him. The indictment claims he put a bounty on the witness and used a Canadian website to track both the witness and his spouse.
Wedding’s criminal activities reportedly began in 2008, six years after he represented Canada at the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City.
Prosecutors allege he traveled to San Diego with two accomplices to purchase cocaine but ended up bribing an FBI informant instead.
Wedding was arrested and convicted of conspiracy to distribute cocaine in late 2009, ultimately receiving a 48-month federal prison sentence, though he was released in December 2011.
Court filings indicate that Wedding started building a criminal enterprise shortly after his release.
In recent months, Mexican authorities have been active, seizing millions in motorcycles and Olympic medals believed to be associated with Wedding.
The Sinaloa Cartel is thought to have been providing protection for Wedding.
