Ryan Wedding — once a celebrated Canadian Olympic snowboarder — has been arrested after more than a decade evading U.S. authorities. Wedding, 44, who landed on the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted list over allegations of running a vast international cocaine trafficking network and ordering killings, was taken into custody in Mexico and is now set to face federal prosecution in the United States.
📌 From Olympic Slopes to Fugitive Status
Wedding competed for Canada in the 2002 Winter Olympics and later gained notoriety not for sports but for his alleged role in organized crime. U.S. officials accused him of leading a multinational drug trafficking organization that moved large quantities of cocaine into the United States and Canada — reportedly in cooperation with powerful cartel networks. He was added to the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted list in March 2025, where a reward of up to $15 million was offered for information leading to his capture.
📌 Arrest in Mexico and Extradition Plans
Officials confirmed that Wedding was apprehended in Mexico, ending a lengthy international manhunt. U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi and FBI Director Kash Patel are expected to provide details at a joint news conference. After his arrest, authorities began extradition proceedings to bring him to U.S. federal court, where he faces charges including running a criminal enterprise, drug trafficking, witness intimidation, and murder.
📌 Serious Allegations and Legal Battles Ahead
Beyond drug trafficking, prosecutors allege Wedding ordered the killing of a federal witness to hinder legal action against him. The criminal case against him spans multiple countries and includes related charges from Canadian law enforcement. With his capture, authorities hope to dismantle the remnants of the trafficking network and ensure Wedding is held accountable in American courts.
