A former Canadian Olympian who once competed in snowboarding for Team Canada is now facing charges of an entirely different kind. Authorities announced Thursday that Ryan James Wedding, 43, is wanted for allegedly orchestrating a transnational drug trafficking ring that specialized in cocaine shipments across the Americas, alongside charges of murder. The FBI has issued a $50,000 reward for information leading to Wedding's arrest and extradition.
From Olympian to Alleged Drug Kingpin
Wedding's journey from the slopes to the alleged criminal enterprise is one of stark contrast. The former athlete represented Canada in the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, competing in the Parallel Giant Slalom snowboarding event. He finished 24th overall, his best ranking in the Olympic competition. However, his career took a sharp turn just years later.
In 2008, Wedding was arrested in San Diego on drug trafficking charges and convicted in 2010 of conspiracy to possess and distribute cocaine. Following his release in 2014, authorities allege he resumed criminal activities, eventually allying with the notorious Sinaloa Cartel. Known as the “Wedding Criminal Enterprise,” this organization is accused of distributing over 60 tons of cocaine annually and operating across multiple countries, including Canada, the U.S., and Mexico.
Criminal Charges and International Operations
According to the FBI and U.S. prosecutors, Wedding’s organization, with its alleged network of contract killers, employed violent measures to eliminate rivals. Wedding’s second-in-command, Andrew Clark, was recently arrested in Mexico, where he had been operating. Authorities report that the enterprise generated billions, with seizures including over a ton of cocaine and millions in cryptocurrency.
The scale of the alleged operations included elaborate shipping routes originating in Colombia, through Mexico and into Southern California, where the drugs were stored before being transported by truck to Canada and parts of the U.S. This network, according to the Los Angeles Times, involved cooperation with Canadian transportation operatives, including Hardeep Ratte and Gurpreet Singh, to move cocaine into Canadian markets.
Murders Tied to the Organization
U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada stated that the organization has been linked to multiple murders, including an Indian couple shot in Canada over a mistaken shipment theft. Their child, also shot, survived the attack. In Ontario, another man was killed execution-style in his driveway this April, with further violence ordered in May.
“These were ruthless individuals who would stop at nothing to protect their operations,” Estrada said.
A Fugitive on the Run
Ryan James Wedding remains a fugitive and was last seen living in Mexico. Alongside Wedding, four other individuals implicated in the case are still at large, while 12 have been detained across North and South America. Estrada emphasized the danger Wedding poses, calling for public assistance in apprehending him.
While once celebrated as an Olympian, Wedding’s post-athletic legacy is now marked by alleged ties to one of the most extensive drug trafficking operations in North America. The FBI urges anyone with information on Wedding’s whereabouts to contact authorities.