**The FBI is seeking information leading to the arrest of ex-Olympian Ryan Wedding, accused of running a high-profile drug operation linked to violence.**
**Former Olympian Tied to Violent Drug Trafficking Network Listed Among FBI's Most Wanted**
**Former Olympian Tied to Violent Drug Trafficking Network Listed Among FBI's Most Wanted**
**Ryan Wedding faces serious charges, including murder and drug trafficking, after a successful athletic career**
Former Canadian Olympic snowboarder Ryan Wedding, 43, has found himself at the center of a disturbing story as he has been placed on the FBI's list of Ten Most Wanted Fugitives due to serious charges related to a transnational drug trafficking organization allegedly led by him. The FBI claims Wedding is implicated in transporting large quantities of cocaine from Colombia, through Mexico, and into multiple U.S. and Canadian locations. This complicated drug operation is reportedly linked to several violent acts, including orchestrating murders to protect the enterprise.
The U.S. government is offering a lucrative reward of up to $10 million for information that could lead to Wedding's arrest or conviction. Current investigations suggest he may be residing in Mexico but have not dismissed the possibility of his presence in other regions, including the U.S., Canada, or throughout Latin America. It remains unclear whether he has legal representation.
Wedding had previously represented Canada in the Giant Slalom snowboarding event during the 2002 Winter Olympics held in Salt Lake City. Notably, he operates under various aliases, which include "El Jefe," "Giant," "Public Enemy," "James Conrad King," and "Jesse King," according to the FBI’s report.
In June 2024, Wedding and his associate Andrew Clark, 34, also a Canadian national, were charged in California for a range of serious crimes, including running a continuing criminal enterprise and committing murder in relation to drug activities. Clark was apprehended last October by Mexican authorities and was included among a group of 29 fugitives recently extradited to the U.S.
The U.S. indictment detailed shocking allegations, including the murders of two family members in Ontario, Canada, believed to have been ordered by Wedding and Clark as retribution for a drug shipment theft. A surviving family member from the incident is reported to have sustained severe injuries. Furthermore, the FBI claims they instigated another murder over a drug debt earlier this year, underscoring the violent nature of their alleged criminal undertakings.
Akil Davis, assisting FBI leadership in Los Angeles, emphasized the dangerous nature of Wedding by labeling him as "very dangerous" due to his alleged involvement in multiple murders. The FBI aims to enlist public partnership to ensure Wedding is apprehended, thereby preventing further violence associated with drug trafficking.
In a related context, this incident occurs amid broader discussions surrounding the ongoing issues of drug cartels and violence across North America, with various narratives exploring the systemic drivers behind such illegal operations.
The U.S. government is offering a lucrative reward of up to $10 million for information that could lead to Wedding's arrest or conviction. Current investigations suggest he may be residing in Mexico but have not dismissed the possibility of his presence in other regions, including the U.S., Canada, or throughout Latin America. It remains unclear whether he has legal representation.
Wedding had previously represented Canada in the Giant Slalom snowboarding event during the 2002 Winter Olympics held in Salt Lake City. Notably, he operates under various aliases, which include "El Jefe," "Giant," "Public Enemy," "James Conrad King," and "Jesse King," according to the FBI’s report.
In June 2024, Wedding and his associate Andrew Clark, 34, also a Canadian national, were charged in California for a range of serious crimes, including running a continuing criminal enterprise and committing murder in relation to drug activities. Clark was apprehended last October by Mexican authorities and was included among a group of 29 fugitives recently extradited to the U.S.
The U.S. indictment detailed shocking allegations, including the murders of two family members in Ontario, Canada, believed to have been ordered by Wedding and Clark as retribution for a drug shipment theft. A surviving family member from the incident is reported to have sustained severe injuries. Furthermore, the FBI claims they instigated another murder over a drug debt earlier this year, underscoring the violent nature of their alleged criminal undertakings.
Akil Davis, assisting FBI leadership in Los Angeles, emphasized the dangerous nature of Wedding by labeling him as "very dangerous" due to his alleged involvement in multiple murders. The FBI aims to enlist public partnership to ensure Wedding is apprehended, thereby preventing further violence associated with drug trafficking.
In a related context, this incident occurs amid broader discussions surrounding the ongoing issues of drug cartels and violence across North America, with various narratives exploring the systemic drivers behind such illegal operations.
