The FBI reports that a Canadian individual involved in a major global criminal investigation has managed to avoid capture with the help of the Sinaloa drug cartel and other criminal organizations in Mexico. Ryan Wedding has been on the run since 2015, facing charges related to drug offenses, conspiracy, and murder. The U.S. State Department recently raised the reward for his capture to $15 million US. Wedding, once a Canadian Olympian, transitioned to becoming one of the FBI’s most wanted fugitives.
Ryan Wedding gained recognition among Canadians during the 2002 Winter Games in Salt Lake City, Utah. Initially a member of the Canadian National Ski Team, Wedding transitioned to snowboarding and competed in the Olympics in parallel giant slalom. Despite not winning a medal, his athletic career took a turn after being arrested in 2008 for attempting to purchase cocaine in California, where he was suspected of working for a British Columbia drug lord. After spending time in U.S. prisons, Wedding faced charges in Montreal in 2015 for involvement in a large-scale cocaine trafficking operation before fleeing to Mexico.
Law enforcement believes that Wedding, now 44 years old, resides in Mexico, overseeing a substantial drug trafficking operation supported by the Sinaloa cartel. While authorities suspect his presence in Mexico, they have not ruled out the possibility of him being in other countries like the U.S., Canada, Colombia, Honduras, Guatemala, or Costa Rica. Despite ongoing efforts, Wedding has managed to evade capture for years, largely due to the protection and support provided by criminal entities, including the Sinaloa cartel, known for its global influence and violent tactics.
The FBI attributes Wedding’s ability to evade arrest to the extensive network of the Sinaloa cartel and other associates in Mexico. Wedding has allegedly used threats, violence, and a network of accomplices to stay ahead of law enforcement, frequently relocating to different countries. Despite a significant reward for his capture, Wedding’s connections to powerful criminal organizations have shielded him from authorities, making his apprehension challenging.
Officials have accused local Mexican authorities of aiding Wedding in evading capture, but recent reports suggest that Mexican federal agents are now collaborating with international authorities to locate him. Wedding, known to use various aliases such as “Giant,” “Public Enemy,” and “El Jefe,” faces serious allegations related to his drug trafficking enterprise, which is described as one of the largest cocaine distribution operations in Canada, responsible for importing substantial amounts of drugs into North America annually.
Wedding’s criminal activities extend beyond cocaine trafficking, involving the distribution of fentanyl, heroin, and methamphetamine. The FBI views Wedding as a highly dangerous fugitive due to his involvement in orchestrating multiple murders globally. Despite arrests of individuals connected to Wedding’s organization, the U.S. government remains committed to capturing him. Officials emphasize that no individual, even a former Olympian, is exempt from the law.
Authorities are determined to bring Wedding to justice and dismantle his criminal empire, highlighting the collaborative efforts between international law enforcement agencies to apprehend him.
