Added to the FBI's Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list, former Olympian Ryan Wedding is now the target of a $10 million reward for his capture. As reported by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Wedding is accused of running a transnational drug trafficking network that trafficked hundreds of kilos of cocaine and of orchestrating multiple murders. Federal officials have confirmed that Wedding, who once represented the Canadian national team in snowboarding at the 2002 Winter Olympics, went on to lead a criminal organization deeply involved in narcotics distribution and violence.
The reward offer, jointly extended by the U.S. Department of State and the FBI, is one of the largest in the history of the agencies’ pursuit of fugitives. According to a statement made by Senior Bureau Official F. Cartwright Weiland of the Department of State’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, "The Department of State is offering a reward of up to $10 million for information leading to the arrest and/or conviction of Ryan James Wedding." With a history of charges including drug trafficking, murder, and attempted murder linked to these crimes, officials urge the public to come forward with any information that could lead to his arrest.
Authorities believe Wedding is hiding out in Mexico, though they do not rule out that he might be in the United States, Canada, or other Latin American countries. CBS News reports that Wedding's aliases include "El Jefe," "Giant," and "Public Enemy," along with several others, making his identification complex for those not closely acquainted with his appearance or operations.
The FBI is partnered with multiple agencies, including the DEA, LAPD, and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police in efforts to bring Wedding to justice. Anyone with information about his whereabouts is encouraged to contact the FBI through encrypted messaging services like WhatsApp, Signal, or Telegram. As per the FBI's announcement, confidentiality will be granted to anyone conveying information. Among his alleged crimes, Wedding is linked to the 1.8-ton seizure of cocaine found by authorities, valued between $23 to $25 million.
