Former Olympic snowboarder Ryan Wedding has pleaded not guilty to all 17 felony charges against him, including drug trafficking, witness tampering, and conspiracy to commit murder.

In his first court appearance since being arrested in Mexico last week, Wedding appeared relaxed, smiling with his attorney and occasionally at the media and FBI agents as he stretched his unshackled arms.

Wedding was on the FBI's 10 Most Wanted list for allegedly running a transnational drug cartel, importing millions of dollars' worth of cocaine into Los Angeles and distributing it to Canada and across the US.

He is also accused of orchestrating the murder of a man who planned to testify against him.

US officials have alleged the 44-year-old was living in Mexico under the Sinaloa drug cartel's protection.

Wedding, who wore a tan prison jumper over an orange shirt and socks, told Judge John Early on Monday that he had read the two indictments against him and understood his rights. His attorney did not request bail but indicated they may do so at a later date.

A Canadian national who competed in snowboarding at the 2002 Winter Games in Salt Lake City, Wedding retains an athlete's physique at 1.91m (6ft 3in) and 109 kg (240 pounds). Some journalists expressed surprise that his wrists were not shackled.

US officials have not provided details of Wedding's arrest in Mexico, but his lawyer Anthony Colombo disputed reports from Mexican officials that Wedding had turned himself in, calling it a false narrative.

Wedding appeared in court in Santa Ana instead of Los Angeles due to ongoing protests outside the LA federal building against federal immigration operations. His next court appearance is scheduled for February 9, 2026.

Previously described as a modern-day iteration of Pablo Escobar by FBI director Kash Patel, the agency says Wedding's aliases include El Jefe, Giant, and Public Enemy. Following his release from a US federal prison in 2011 for cocaine distribution, he allegedly launched his criminal enterprise and has been accused of ordering numerous murders globally.

Officials state he had been living lavishly in Mexico while US and Canadian authorities intensified their search for him, with the FBI seizing a collection of luxury motorcycles worth approximately $40 million.

In November, Canadian law enforcement reported the arrest of seven Canadian associates tied to the cartel, who would be extradited to the US.