In an operation spearheaded by Mexican authorities with support from the FBI, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, and the Los Angeles Police Department, a cache of motorcycles estimated at $40 million in value and believed to be owned by former Olympic snowboarder Ryan James Wedding has been seized. Wedding, now implicated as a drug lord on the FBI's Top Ten Fugitive list, has been eluding capture since being charged with running a transnational drug trafficking and murder ring. The recent seizure, announced by the FBI Los Angeles on social media, highlighted the collaborative efforts that led to the confiscation of dozens of motorcycles in what appeared to be a warehouse setting, according to the KTLA report.
Brought to the public's attention, the former athlete's precipitous fall from grace encompasses not just drug trafficking but also allegations of murder and money laundering, with connections to the infamous Sinaloa Cartel, as detailed by FOX 11. Aside from sporting accolades, he is now accused of orchestrating the large-scale distribution of cocaine into Canada, solidifying his place as a prominent figure in organized crime. Attorney General Pam Bondi described Wedding's operation as one of the largest distributors of cocaine in the country, emphasizing the criminal enterprise's connection with the Mexican-based cartel which imports 60 metric tons of cocaine to the U.S. annually.
A reward of up to $15 million has been offered for information leading to Wedding's capture and conviction, with authorities encouraging anyone with pertinent details to step forward. Based on his fluency in English and Spanish and suspected ties to the Sinaloa Cartel, officials believe Wedding is currently residing in Mexico. The FBI has provided several avenues for the public to relay information, including through messaging apps and their online tip line.
At the heart of the charges against Wedding are also two murders in Canada on November 20, 2023, which are characterized as acts of retribution for a drug shipment theft. These murders along with the murder of a U.S. federal witness in Medellín, Colombia, contribute to the indictment against him and his criminal network's ruthless methods to maintain control and silence those who could potentially disrupt their operations. Despite the extensive charges and evidence against him, including his use of various aliases, Ryan James Wedding continues to evade the grasp of international law enforcement, his Olympic legacy overshadowed by a life steeped in alleged criminality.
