Former Canadian Olympic Snowboarder Charged in Major Cocaine Trafficking Ring Linked to Fatal Overdoses

Former Canadian Olympic Snowboarder

A former Canadian Olympic snowboarder has been charged with orchestrating a vast drug trafficking operation, according to authorities. Ryan James Wedding, 43, is accused of leading a criminal enterprise that allegedly transported significant quantities of cocaine across the Americas, resulting in several fatalities.

The FBI is currently offering a $50,000 reward for information that could lead to Wedding’s arrest and extradition. He is considered a fugitive, having been living in Mexico. Wedding faces multiple charges in the U.S., including running a criminal enterprise, murder, and conspiracy to distribute cocaine, among others.

Authorities allege that Wedding's organization smuggled large shipments of cocaine from Colombia, navigating through Mexico and California before reaching Canada and other U.S. destinations, utilizing long-haul trucks for transport. He is one of 16 individuals indicted in this operation, which reportedly moved an astonishing 60 tons of cocaine annually. Four co-defendants remain at large.

U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada condemned Wedding’s actions, stating, “He chose to become a major drug trafficker, and he chose to become a killer.”

In a coordinated effort, law enforcement arrested a dozen suspects across Florida, Michigan, Canada, Colombia, and Mexico in connection with the case. Investigators allege that Wedding's group was involved in violent retribution, claiming responsibility for the killings of two family members in Canada due to a stolen drug shipment, which was reportedly a case of mistaken identity.

Authorities have seized a considerable amount of evidence, including cocaine, weapons, cash, and over $3 million in cryptocurrency.

Wedding represented Canada in the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, finishing 24th in the parallel giant slalom event. He also faces unresolved drug trafficking charges in Canada dating back to 2015, according to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.

Additionally, Wedding has a previous conviction for conspiracy to distribute cocaine, serving time in the U.S. before being released. Officials believe that after his release, he returned to drug trafficking, allegedly receiving protection from the Sinaloa cartel in Mexico.

Former Canadian Olympic Snowboarder Charged in Major Cocaine Trafficking Ring Linked to Fatal Overdoses