Former Olympian Ryan Wedding Charged With Murder, Drug Trafficking

In a stunning fall from Olympic glory, former Canadian snowboarder Ryan Wedding now faces federal murder and drug trafficking charges as U.S. authorities describe him as one of the world's most dangerous drug lords. Attorney General Pam Bondi and FBI Director Kash Patel announced new charges Wednesday against the 44-year-old, who once represented Canada at the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City.

From Olympic Hopeful to FBI's Most Wanted

Wedding, who finished 24th in the parallel giant slalom at the Salt Lake City Games, is now on the FBI's Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list. The transformation from athlete to alleged criminal mastermind represents one of the most dramatic downfalls in Olympic history.

"He controls one of the most prolific and violent drug trafficking organizations in this world," Bondi stated during a Department of Justice press conference in Washington, D.C. The attorney general appeared alongside FBI Director Kash Patel and RCMP Commissioner Michael Duheme to outline the extensive case against Wedding.

Massive Drug Operation and Murder Allegations

Federal prosecutors allege that Wedding leads a transnational criminal enterprise responsible for importing approximately 60 metric tons of cocaine annually into the United States from Mexico. The operation, which generates an estimated $1 billion in annual profits, operates through sophisticated networks spanning multiple countries.

The most serious new charge involves the murder of a federal witness. According to Bondi, Wedding ordered the killing of a witness scheduled to testify against him in U.S. federal court. The witness was gunned down in a restaurant in Medellín, Colombia, after Wedding allegedly used a now-deleted website called "The Dirty News" to locate and target him.

"Wedding went from shredding powder on the slopes at the Olympics to distributing powder cocaine on the streets of U.S. cities and in his native Canada," said Akil Davis, Assistant Director of the FBI's Los Angeles Field Office.

Extensive Criminal Network Exposed

The investigation has revealed a complex web of associates and enablers. More than 35 people have been indicted in connection with Wedding's alleged operations, according to FBI Director Patel. On Tuesday morning, Canadian authorities arrested seven individuals with ties to Wedding's organization.

Treasury Department Sanctions

The U.S. Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control announced sanctions against Wedding and nine of his associates, along with nine related companies. Those sanctioned include:

• Edgar Aaron Vazquez Alvarado, known as "the General," a former Mexican law enforcement officer accused of protecting Wedding and helping locate targets
• Miryam Andrea Castillo Moreno, Wedding's wife, allegedly involved in money laundering and violence
• Carmen Yelinet Valoyes Florez, a Colombian national accused of arranging the January 2025 murder of a federal witness
• Deepak Balwant Paradkar, a Canadian attorney accused of arranging drug contacts and helping Wedding spy on clients he allegedly wanted to kill

The sanctions target businesses ranging from a Toronto jewelry store to fuel companies in Mexico and luxury motorcycle and car dealers in Europe. Any assets these individuals or entities hold in the United States are now frozen, and American companies are prohibited from conducting business with them.

Cartel Connections and International Reach

Federal officials believe Wedding is hiding in Mexico and collaborating closely with the Sinaloa cartel, one of the world's most powerful drug trafficking organizations. The operation moves multi-ton quantities of cocaine from Colombia through Mexico, distributing it throughout the United States and Canada before laundering profits through luxury businesses.

"He's responsible for a narco terrorism program we have not seen in a long time," Patel told reporters. "You do not get to be a drug dealer and evade the law."

FBI Director Patel likened Wedding to a "modern-day iteration" of notorious drug lords Pablo Escobar and Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman, emphasizing the violent nature of his alleged operations.

Law Enforcement's Response

The investigation has yielded significant results. Authorities have seized more than 2,000 kilograms of cocaine and numerous weapons. Financial seizures include approximately $3.2 million in cryptocurrency and $13 million in physical assets.

The State Department has increased the reward for information leading to Wedding's capture from $10 million to $15 million. An additional $2 million reward is being offered for information about those involved in the witness murder.

Physical Description and Aliases

Law enforcement describes Wedding as a white male, standing 6 feet 4 inches tall and weighing between 230-250 pounds. He is known to use several aliases, including "El Jefe," "Public Enemy," and "James Conrad King." He speaks both English and Spanish and is believed to be hiding in Mexico.

The Charges

Wedding faces an extensive list of federal charges, including:

• Conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine
• Conspiracy to export cocaine
• Conspiracy to commit murder in connection with a continuing criminal enterprise and drug crime
• Murder in connection with a continuing criminal enterprise and drug crime
• Conspiracy to tamper with a witness, victim, or informant
• Tampering with a witness, victim, or informant
• Conspiracy to retaliate against a witness, victim, or informant
• Retaliation against a witness, victim, or informant
• Conspiracy to launder monetary instruments

Related Arrests

In Montreal, 40-year-old Atna Onha, who goes by the name Tupac or 2-Pac, appeared in court via videoconference Tuesday facing extradition to the United States. While the exact nature of his involvement with Wedding's alleged organization remains unclear, Onha faces charges related to murder and cocaine trafficking. He reportedly has ties to biker gangs and the Mafia in Montreal.

Call for Public Assistance

"Drugs are killing our kids, our friends, our relatives, and this guy is responsible for a tremendous amount of that horror," Bondi emphasized. "The Justice Department will use every tool available to catch these monsters."

Authorities urge anyone with information about Wedding's whereabouts to contact the FBI at 1-800-CALLFBI or visit tipsfbi.gov. RCMP Commissioner Duheme acknowledged the good cooperation between law enforcement agencies across borders but stressed that "our work is not done."

Conclusion

Ryan Wedding's alleged transformation from Olympic athlete to international drug lord represents an extraordinary case of someone who once competed at the highest level of sport now accused of leading one of the world's most violent criminal enterprises. With more than 35 indictments, millions in seized assets, and international cooperation spanning multiple countries, law enforcement has built an extensive case. However, until Wedding is captured and brought to justice, authorities warn that his organization continues to pose a significant threat to public safety in both the United States and Canada. The increased reward and new charges demonstrate the government's commitment to holding him accountable for the violence and devastation allegedly caused by his criminal network.