Former Olympic Snowboarder Wanted by FBI on Murder and Drug Charges

Ryan Wedding, a Canadian Olympian turned fugitive, is wanted for leading a transnational drug trafficking ring and orchestrating multiple murders.

At a glance:

  • Former Olympic snowboarder Ryan Wedding is wanted by the FBI for drug trafficking and murder.
  • Wedding, 43, led a criminal network that trafficked cocaine from California to Canada and ordered murders over drug-related disputes.
  • The FBI is offering a $50,000 reward for information leading to his arrest, as authorities believe he is hiding in Mexico.

Ryan James Wedding, a former Canadian snowboarder who competed in the 2002 Winter Olympics, is now a fugitive wanted by the FBI on charges of running a massive drug trafficking operation and orchestrating multiple murders. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California announced on Thursday that Wedding, 43, was indicted alongside 15 others for trafficking cocaine between California and Canada earlier this year.

Wedding, originally from Thunder Bay, Ontario, is believed to be the leader of a transnational drug cartel that moved large quantities of cocaine from January to April 2024. He faces eight felony charges, including conspiracy to export cocaine and three counts of murder connected to drug crimes. The charges stem from his alleged involvement in ordering the murders of two family members in Ontario in retaliation for a stolen drug shipment, as well as the killing of another individual over a drug debt in May.

Known by aliases such as “El Jefe,” “Giant,” and “Public Enemy,” Wedding is believed to be living in Mexico and remains on the run. His criminal network also trafficked methamphetamines, according to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.

Ryan Wedding first made headlines as an athlete, representing Canada at the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, where he placed 24th in the parallel giant slalom snowboarding event. However, his criminal activity has overshadowed his athletic achievements. Wedding had previously been sentenced to four years in prison in 2010 for conspiracy to distribute cocaine and had been linked to other drug-related investigations in Canada.

Operation Giant Slalom, a joint effort between U.S. and Canadian authorities, led to the capture of most of the 16 individuals indicted in this case. However, Wedding remains at large, and the FBI is offering a reward of up to $50,000 for information that could lead to his arrest.

As both the U.S. and Canada pursue separate charges against Wedding, his transformation from Olympian to fugitive has shocked many. His actions have drawn international attention, as authorities work to bring him to justice.