Ryan Wedding, Former Olympian, Charged with Violence and Drug Trafficking

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Justice Department announced new charges on Wednesday against Ryan Wedding, a 44-year-old former Olympic snowboarder, for his alleged involvement in a large-scale drug trafficking operation. Wedding, identified as the ‘largest distributor of cocaine’ in Canada, is accused of orchestrating the murder of a witness set to testify against him.

According to authorities, Wedding’s organization is linked to the Sinaloa Cartel, a foreign terrorist group, and is responsible for importing around six metric tons of cocaine each year into Los Angeles via semi-trucks from Mexico. Attorney General Pam Bondi stated that the cartel perspective on the cocaine flood affects both American and Canadian communities.

Wedding was indicted earlier this year in Los Angeles on multiple charges, including running a continuing criminal enterprise and committing murder related to his operations. Along with Andrew Clark, his alleged second-in-command, they are accused of moving hundreds of kilograms of cocaine from Mexico to the U.S., then further distributing it to Canada.

The latest charges include the killing of a witness in January at a Colombian restaurant, with U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli stating that Wedding allegedly placed a bounty on the victim, believing it would lead to dismissed criminal charges against him.

Deepak Balwant Paradkar, Wedding’s lawyer, has also been charged in connection with the witness’s murder, accused of advising Wedding that eliminating the witness could help secure his freedom. Paradkar was arrested on Tuesday in Ontario and is set to be extradited to the United States.

As part of the investigation, ten other individuals connected to Wedding’s enterprise were arrested on Tuesday, with 11 total now in custody. Law enforcement is actively searching for Wedding, who has been on the run, believed to possibly reside in Mexico.

The FBI has now placed a $15 million reward for information leading to Wedding’s capture, noting he uses a complex web of finances to cover up his operations. Wedding, also known by several aliases including ‘El Jefe’ and ‘Giant,’ competed for Canada in the 2002 Winter Olympics, finishing 24th in the parallel giant slalom event.

FBI Director Kash Patel referred to Wedding as a ‘modern-day Pablo Escobar,’ warning the public of his violent nature and urging anyone with information to come forward. The U.S. authorities emphasize their commitment to tracking down Wedding and dismantling his criminal network.