Topline: Ryan Wedding, former Olympic Snowboarder, is on the FBI’s 10 Most Wanted Fugitives List for multinational drug trafficking and killings.
Published: November 24, 2025 2:22 pm ET
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Ryan Wedding, a picture taken sometime in 2024 and a 2013 Canadian driver's licence photo distributed by U.S. investigators (via FBI)
WASHINGTON D.C.— U.S. federal authorities announced that Ryan James Wedding, a former Canadian Olympic snowboarder, has been indicted on murder and money laundering charges.
The FBI is offering a $15 million reward for information leading to Wedding’s capture. He was added to the bureau’s Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list in March.
Wedding, 44, is accused of running one of the most “prolific and violent” drug organizations, Attorney General Pam Bondi said. She described him as Canada’s “largest distributor of cocaine,” importing 60 metric tons annually from Mexico to the United States, according to CBS News.
At a press conference, FBI Director Kash Patel compared Wedding to “a modern-day iteration of Pablo Escobar,” NBC News reported.
Authorities say Wedding’s criminal network was extensive and violent. Before his alleged involvement in drug trafficking, he competed in the men’s parallel giant slalom at the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, Utah, finishing 24th.
The latest indictment, announced Nov. 19, includes conspiracy to commit murder for hire. Prosecutors allege Wedding ordered the killing of a federal witness after his 2024 indictment. Bondi said the witness was shot five times at a Colombian restaurant in January 2025, before they could testify.
“The murder of a witness in Colombia earlier this year was a cruel, cold-blooded act that could not and did not go unanswered,” First Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli of the Central District of California said in a Justice Department release. Officials also accuse Wedding of directing the murders of two people in Canada who allegedly stole narcotics from his group.
Prosecutors believe Wedding is hiding in Mexico and working with the Sinaloa cartel. An Oct. 28 indictment states he uses at least 32 aliases, including “El Jefe,” “Public Enemy” and “Giant,” to evade capture.
On Nov. 18, Akil Davis of the FBI’s Los Angeles field office announced the arrests of 10 people linked to Wedding’s organization. The international probe is dubbed “Operation Giant Slalom.”
Among those arrested was criminal barrister Deepak Paradkar, accused of advising Wedding to kill the federal witness to block extradition.
Another was Gursewak Singh Bal, who allegedly operated a news site that published a photo of the witness for payment, helping Wedding’s group locate the victim.
Canadian reggaeton musician Edwin Basora-Hernandez was also arrested, accused of assisting in tracking the witness.
Wedding grew up in Thunder Bay, Ontario, and joined Canada’s national team at 15. He later attended Simon Fraser University but dropped out after two years. He worked as a bouncer before allegedly entering the drug trade.
His criminal record includes a 2010 conviction for drug trafficking, for which he served four years in prison, The New York Times reported. That case stemmed from a 2008 sting in which he attempted to buy cocaine from a U.S. government agent.
The FBI’s $15 million reward is among the largest currently offered. U.S. authorities are seeking Wedding’s extradition to face trial.
“We will not rest until his name is taken off the FBI’s Top 10 Most Wanted List, and his narco-trafficking organization lies dismantled,” Bondi said.
Chris Landberg, a senior official with the State Department’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, added: “No one, not even a former Olympian, is above the law.”
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
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Ryan Wedding, former Olympic Snowboarder, is on the FBI’s 10 Most Wanted Fugitives List for multinational drug trafficking and killings.
By Kate Byrd
Published: November 24, 2025 2:22 pm ET
Ryan Wedding, a picture taken sometime in 2024 and a 2013 Canadian driver's licence photo distributed by U.S. investigators (via FBI)
WASHINGTON D.C.— U.S. federal authorities announced that Ryan James Wedding, a former Canadian Olympic snowboarder, has been indicted on murder and money laundering charges.
The FBI is offering a $15 million reward for information leading to Wedding’s capture. He was added to the bureau’s Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list in March.
Wedding, 44, is accused of running one of the most “prolific and violent” drug organizations, Attorney General Pam Bondi said. She described him as Canada’s “largest distributor of cocaine,” importing 60 metric tons annually from Mexico to the United States, according to CBS News.
At a press conference, FBI Director Kash Patel compared Wedding to “a modern-day iteration of Pablo Escobar,” NBC News reported.
Authorities say Wedding’s criminal network was extensive and violent. Before his alleged involvement in drug trafficking, he competed in the men’s parallel giant slalom at the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, Utah, finishing 24th.
The latest indictment, announced Nov. 19, includes conspiracy to commit murder for hire. Prosecutors allege Wedding ordered the killing of a federal witness after his 2024 indictment. Bondi said the witness was shot five times at a Colombian restaurant in January 2025, before they could testify.
“The murder of a witness in Colombia earlier this year was a cruel, cold-blooded act that could not and did not go unanswered,” First Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli of the Central District of California said in a Justice Department release. Officials also accuse Wedding of directing the murders of two people in Canada who allegedly stole narcotics from his group.
Prosecutors believe Wedding is hiding in Mexico and working with the Sinaloa cartel. An Oct. 28 indictment states he uses at least 32 aliases, including “El Jefe,” “Public Enemy” and “Giant,” to evade capture.
On Nov. 18, Akil Davis of the FBI’s Los Angeles field office announced the arrests of 10 people linked to Wedding’s organization. The international probe is dubbed “Operation Giant Slalom.”
Among those arrested was criminal barrister Deepak Paradkar, accused of advising Wedding to kill the federal witness to block extradition.
Another was Gursewak Singh Bal, who allegedly operated a news site that published a photo of the witness for payment, helping Wedding’s group locate the victim.
Canadian reggaeton musician Edwin Basora-Hernandez was also arrested, accused of assisting in tracking the witness.
Wedding grew up in Thunder Bay, Ontario, and joined Canada’s national team at 15. He later attended Simon Fraser University but dropped out after two years. He worked as a bouncer before allegedly entering the drug trade.
His criminal record includes a 2010 conviction for drug trafficking, for which he served four years in prison, The New York Times reported. That case stemmed from a 2008 sting in which he attempted to buy cocaine from a U.S. government agent.
The FBI’s $15 million reward is among the largest currently offered. U.S. authorities are seeking Wedding’s extradition to face trial.
“We will not rest until his name is taken off the FBI’s Top 10 Most Wanted List, and his narco-trafficking organization lies dismantled,” Bondi said.
Chris Landberg, a senior official with the State Department’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, added: “No one, not even a former Olympian, is above the law.”
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
Must Read
Editor Picks
Latest Articles
FBI Offers $15 Million for Fugitive Olympian Accused of Drug Lord Murders
Ryan Wedding, former Olympic Snowboarder, is on the FBI’s 10 Most Wanted Fugitives List for multinational drug trafficking and killings.
By Kate Byrd
Published: November 24, 2025 2:22 pm ET
Ryan Wedding, a picture taken sometime in 2024 and a 2013 Canadian driver's licence photo distributed by U.S. investigators (via FBI)
WASHINGTON D.C.— U.S. federal authorities announced that Ryan James Wedding, a former Canadian Olympic snowboarder, has been indicted on murder and money laundering charges.
The FBI is offering a $15 million reward for information leading to Wedding’s capture. He was added to the bureau’s Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list in March.
Wedding, 44, is accused of running one of the most “prolific and violent” drug organizations, Attorney General Pam Bondi said. She described him as Canada’s “largest distributor of cocaine,” importing 60 metric tons annually from Mexico to the United States, according to CBS News.
At a press conference, FBI Director Kash Patel compared Wedding to “a modern-day iteration of Pablo Escobar,” NBC News reported.
Authorities say Wedding’s criminal network was extensive and violent. Before his alleged involvement in drug trafficking, he competed in the men’s parallel giant slalom at the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, Utah, finishing 24th.
The latest indictment, announced Nov. 19, includes conspiracy to commit murder for hire. Prosecutors allege Wedding ordered the killing of a federal witness after his 2024 indictment. Bondi said the witness was shot five times at a Colombian restaurant in January 2025, before they could testify.
“The murder of a witness in Colombia earlier this year was a cruel, cold-blooded act that could not and did not go unanswered,” First Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli of the Central District of California said in a Justice Department release. Officials also accuse Wedding of directing the murders of two people in Canada who allegedly stole narcotics from his group.
Prosecutors believe Wedding is hiding in Mexico and working with the Sinaloa cartel. An Oct. 28 indictment states he uses at least 32 aliases, including “El Jefe,” “Public Enemy” and “Giant,” to evade capture.
On Nov. 18, Akil Davis of the FBI’s Los Angeles field office announced the arrests of 10 people linked to Wedding’s organization. The international probe is dubbed “Operation Giant Slalom.”
Among those arrested was criminal barrister Deepak Paradkar, accused of advising Wedding to kill the federal witness to block extradition.
Another was Gursewak Singh Bal, who allegedly operated a news site that published a photo of the witness for payment, helping Wedding’s group locate the victim.
Canadian reggaeton musician Edwin Basora-Hernandez was also arrested, accused of assisting in tracking the witness.
Wedding grew up in Thunder Bay, Ontario, and joined Canada’s national team at 15. He later attended Simon Fraser University but dropped out after two years. He worked as a bouncer before allegedly entering the drug trade.
His criminal record includes a 2010 conviction for drug trafficking, for which he served four years in prison, The New York Times reported. That case stemmed from a 2008 sting in which he attempted to buy cocaine from a U.S. government agent.
The FBI’s $15 million reward is among the largest currently offered. U.S. authorities are seeking Wedding’s extradition to face trial.
“We will not rest until his name is taken off the FBI’s Top 10 Most Wanted List, and his narco-trafficking organization lies dismantled,” Bondi said.
Chris Landberg, a senior official with the State Department’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, added: “No one, not even a former Olympian, is above the law.”
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
Must Read
