LOS ANGELES In a dramatic fall from grace, former Canadian Olympic snowboarder Ryan Wedding, 43, has been named to the FBI’s 10 Most Wanted list for allegedly running a vast drug trafficking operation and orchestrating multiple killings linked to the cartel-style network.
Authorities are now offering a $10 million reward for information leading to his capture.
From Olympian to Alleged Drug Kingpin
Wedding, who once competed in the 2002 Winter Olympics, is accused of smuggling 60 tons of cocaine annually, funneling shipments from Colombia to Mexico, Southern California, and Canada via semi-trucks. His operation allegedly fueled major drug distribution networks across North America.
FBI Assistant Director Akil Davis described Wedding’s transformation:
“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.”
Authorities say Wedding didn’t just traffic drugs—he allegedly resorted to brutal violence to maintain control.
Linked to Multiple Murders
Federal prosecutors allege that Wedding’s network killed four people, including two Canadian family members mistakenly targeted over a stolen drug shipment. Investigators also linked his cartel to two additional murders, reinforcing his status as a high-risk fugitive.
Operation Cracked, But Wedding Remains at Large
While the FBI announced 12 arrests in connection with the case last October, Wedding has evaded capture. His aliases include “El Jefe,” “Public Enemy,” and “James Conrad King.”
With his criminal empire under intense scrutiny, law enforcement agencies worldwide are hunting for Wedding, aiming to dismantle his network and bring him to justice.
If captured, Wedding faces charges of murder, conspiracy, and large-scale drug trafficking—crimes that could result in life imprisonment.
The case remains open, and the FBI urges anyone with information to come forward.
7 March 2025
