U.S. law enforcement officials announced Wednesday, Nov. 19, that a former Olympic snowboarder has been charged with murder and money laundering in connection with alleged drug trafficking into the United States.
Attorney General Pam Bondi announced that Ryan James Wedding, 44, is wanted by the FBI in connection with a “transnational criminal enterprise,” calling the Canadian national the greatest threat to the United States and “one of the most prolific and violent drug lords in the world.”
Bondi made the joint announcement with FBI Director Kash Patel at the Justice Department’s headquarters in Washington, D.C., after the government indicted Wedding on charges of witness intimidation, murder and money laundering.
Wedding, a former Olympic snowboarder, is on the FBI’s 10 most wanted list for what Bondy says is a murderous international drug trafficking operation.
The FBI is offering a $15 million reward for his arrest.
Bondi said Wedding is now Canada’s largest distributor of cocaine, and reportedly also trafficked other illegal drugs, including fentanyl, while collaborating with the Mexico-based Sinaloa cartel.
Bondi said Wedding’s organization imports 60 tons of cocaine from Mexico into the United States each year, generating $1 billion in annual profits.
“He is responsible for a narco-terrorism program that we haven’t seen in a long time,” Patel told reporters. “You can’t escape the law by being a drug dealer.”
Patel added that more than 35 people have been charged so far in connection with the incident.
“The wedding started with a crush on the Olympic slopes and ended with distributing powder cocaine on the streets of U.S. cities and his native Canada,” said Akil Davis, deputy director of the FBI’s Los Angeles field office.
John K. Hurley, Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence, called Wedding “one of the most notorious criminals and drug traffickers who continues to evade justice.”
“The Treasury Department will work with the FBI and the Department of Justice to isolate Wedding and his criminal partners from the U.S. financial system and help dismantle the networks on which they depend,” Hawley said in a statement Wednesday. “Our goal is simple: make it harder for these criminals to profit from polluting our communities.”
USA TODAY has reached out to the Canadian embassy.
Ryan Wedding charged with murder and money laundering
Bondi said Wedding is accused of killing a U.S. federal witness who was shot at a restaurant in Medellin, Colombia, before testifying against him.
There is also a $2 million reward for information leading to the person responsible for the witness’s murder.
During the investigation, law enforcement recovered approximately $3.2 million in virtual currency and more than $13 million in physical assets, Bondi said.
“Drugs are killing our children, and our friends, our relatives, and this man are largely responsible for that horror. We cannot stand by and watch,” Bondi said. “The Department of Justice will use every means necessary to catch this monster.”
What crime is snowboarder Ryan Wedding facing?
According to federal officials, Mr. Wedding was charged with:
- conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine;
- Conspiracy to export cocaine.
- Conspiracy to commit murder in connection with a continuing criminal enterprise and drug offenses.
- Murder in connection with an ongoing criminal enterprise and drug offenses.
- Conspiracy to tamper with witnesses, victims, or informants.
- Tampering with witnesses, victims, or informants.
- Conspiracy to retaliate against witnesses, victims, or informants.
- Retaliation against witnesses, victims, or informants.
- Conspiracy to launder financial instruments.
When did Ryan Wedding compete in the Olympics?
Wedding represented Canada at the 2002 Utah Winter Olympics.
He competed in the men’s parallel giant slalom and finished 24th.
Have you seen Ryan Wedding?
Law enforcement described Wedding as a white male, 6 feet 4 inches tall, weighing between 230 and 250 pounds.
Officials said he is known to frequently visit Mexico, speaks English and Spanish and is believed to be hiding there.
Anyone with information on Wedding’s whereabouts is asked to call 1-800-CALLFBI or visit tipsfbi.gov.
This story has been updated to add new information.
Natalie Neisa Alland is a senior reporter at USA TODAY. Contact her at nalund@usatoday.com and follow her at X @nataliealund
