Arrest of Ryan Wedding: From Olympic Athlete to Alleged Drug Lord

Thu Jan 29 2026 20:19:40 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Ryan Wedding, a former Olympic snowboarder, has been captured in Mexico following years of evasion as a fugitive linked to a major drug trafficking operation. Extradition to the U.S. awaits as authorities praise the collaborative effort in his apprehension.

Ryan Wedding, previously on the FBI's Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list, has been arrested in Mexico. The former Olympic snowboarder is accused of running a massive cocaine trafficking network and faces multiple charges, including murder and drug trafficking. U.S. and Canadian authorities worked together to secure his capture, with FBI Director likening Wedding's influence to that of notorious cartel leaders.

Ryan Wedding, a former Canadian Olympic snowboarder and alleged drug kingpin, has been arrested in Mexico and is set to be extradited to the United States after evading authorities for several years. FBI Director Kash Patel announced the capture, stating that Wedding was on the FBI's Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list and had been running a large-scale transnational drug trafficking operation.

accused of moving 60 metric tonnes of cocaine annually, Wedding is also wanted for murder charges, accused of ordering the deaths of several individuals, including a federal witness in a case against him.

Officials stated that he was likely living under the protection of the Sinaloa drug cartel in Mexico. The operation that led to his arrest involved a collaborative effort between U.S., Canadian, and Mexican law enforcement agencies.

During a press conference, Canada’s federal police praised the investigation, emphasizing the importance of working together across borders. Mike Duheme, Commissioner of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, articulated the significance of Wedding's capture in making communities safer.

Following his arrest, Wedding is facing a multitude of felony charges including witness tampering, intimidation, and money laundering. The FBI had offered a $15 million reward for information leading to his arrest.

Mexican authorities noted that Wedding was living quite luxuriously in Mexico, with previous seizures including $40 million worth of motorcycles and rare cars linked to him. Despite his accomplishments as an athlete competing in the 2002 Olympics, he had been evading law enforcement since launching his criminal activities post-release from a federal prison in 2011.

FBI officials likened him to infamous figures like Pablo Escobar and El Chapo, highlighting the extensive connections and criminal network Wedding operated within North America and beyond.