...
By Shane Croucher
Senior Editor
0
Share
Newsweek is a Trust Project member
See more of our trusted coverage when you search.Prefer Newsweek on Googleto see more of our trusted coverage when you search.
The FBI has arrested the Canadian former Olympic snowboarder Ryan James Wedding, one of its most-wanted fugitives, who is facing charges relating to drug trafficking and the killing of a federal witness and others.
Attorney General Pam Bondi confirmed the arrest of Wedding, 44, on Friday morning, describing him as an "alleged cocaine kingpin." In November, the Department of Justice had offered a $15 million reward for information that led to Wedding's arrest, raising it from $10 million. A month later, the FBI seized motorbikes belonging to Wedding worth $40 million.
In a post on X, Bondi said Wedding had been flown to the U.S. "where he will face justice," adding that the arrest was a "direct result of President Trump’s law-and-order leadership" and that "criminals have no safe harbor."
Read More on News
According to the FBI, Wedding was wanted "for allegedly running and participating in a transnational drug trafficking operation that routinely shipped hundreds of kilograms of cocaine from Colombia, through Mexico and Southern California, to Canada, and other locations in the United States.
"Additionally, it is alleged that Wedding was involved in orchestrating multiple murders in furtherance of these drug crimes."
...
Where Was Ryan Wedding Arrested?
FBI Director Kash Patel said Wedding was taken into custody in Mexico on Thursday night.
Patel said Wedding was believed to have been hiding in Mexico for over a decade, where he was allegedly a member of the Sinaloa cartel. Patel thanked the Mexican government for facilitating the arrest.
"This is the SIXTH Top Ten Most Wanted Fugitive this FBI has captured within a year, fugitives who had been on the run for almost 40 years combined," Patel said on social media.
What Are Ryan Wedding's Charges?
Wedding was charged in 2024 with running a drug ring that used semitrucks to move cocaine between Colombia, Mexico, Southern California and Canada. Authorities said his aliases included "El Jefe," "Public Enemy" and "James Conrad Kin."
In November, Bondi announced that Wedding had also been indicted on charges of orchestrating the killing of a witness in Colombia to help him avoid extradition to the U.S.
...
Authorities said Wedding and co-conspirators used a Canadian website called "The Dirty News" to post a photograph of the witness so he could be identified and killed. The witness was then followed to a restaurant in Medellín in January and shot in the head.
Wedding faces separate drug trafficking charges in Canada that date back to 2015, according to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. He was previously convicted in the U.S. of conspiracy to distribute cocaine and was sentenced to prison in 2010, federal records show. Additionally, Wedding faces a money laundering charge.
Which Olympic Games Did Ryan Wedding Compete in?
A talented young snowboarder in his native Canada, Wedding went on to represent his country at the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, where he competed in the men’s parallel giant slalom event and finished 24th.
This article includes reporting by The Associated Press.
In a polarized era, the center is dismissed as bland. At Newsweek, ours is different: The Courageous Center—it's not "both sides," it's sharp, challenging and alive with ideas. We follow facts, not factions. If that sounds like the kind of journalism you want to see thrive, we need you.
When you become a Newsweek Member, you support a mission to keep the center strong and vibrant. Members enjoy: Ad-free browsing, exclusive content and editor conversations. Help keep the center courageous. Join today.
View 0 Comments
Submit Correction
View Editorial & AI Guidelines