In a significant global criminal probe, a Canadian individual remains at large, eluding capture with alleged support from criminal organizations in Mexico, including the formidable Sinaloa drug cartel, according to the FBI. Ryan Wedding has been evading authorities since 2015, sought for involvement in various drug-related offenses, alongside allegations of orchestrating murders. Consequently, the U.S. State Department recently raised the reward for Wedding’s apprehension to $15 million US, up from $10 million US.
Initially recognized during the 2002 Winter Games in Salt Lake City, Utah, Ryan Wedding, a former Canadian Olympian, transitioned from competitive snowboarding after representing the Canadian National Ski Team. His athletic pursuits culminated at the Olympics, where he competed in parallel giant slalom without clinching a medal. Subsequently, his career took a dark turn in 2008 when he faced arrest in California for attempting to purchase cocaine, purportedly acting on behalf of a British Columbia-based drug figure. Following a brief incarceration in the U.S., Wedding faced charges from the RCMP in Montreal in 2015 in connection with a substantial cocaine trafficking ring before fleeing to Mexico, where he has since remained on the lam.
Presently 44 years old, Ryan Wedding is believed to be residing in Mexico, supervising an extensive drug trafficking operation shielded by the Sinaloa cartel, renowned for its global influence in illicit activities. Despite suspicions of his potential escape from Mexico undetected, authorities have not discounted the likelihood of his presence in other countries, including the U.S., Canada, Colombia, Honduras, Guatemala, and Costa Rica.
Law enforcement agencies assert that Wedding’s ability to evade capture over the years is attributed to the protection afforded by the Sinaloa cartel and other associates in Mexico. Utilizing violent tactics and leveraging insider information, Wedding has successfully dodged numerous arrest attempts, prompting the U.S. officials to intensify efforts to bring him to justice. While Wedding’s network spans globally, recent collaborations between Mexican federal agents and Canadian authorities aim to close in on the fugitive.
Described as the primary distributor of cocaine in Canada and the orchestrator of a prolific drug trafficking enterprise, Wedding is deemed a significant threat due to his operational scale and ruthlessness. Allegations of ordering multiple murders across different countries, including the assassination of a U.S. federal witness in Colombia, underscore the severity of his criminal activities. Recent arrests linked to Wedding’s case, including his lawyer Deepak Paradkar, highlight the ongoing efforts to dismantle his organization and ensure accountability for his crimes. Despite the challenges posed by his sophisticated network and elusive tactics, authorities remain resolute in their pursuit of Wedding, affirming that no individual, regardless of their background, is exempt from legal consequences.