A former Canadian Olympic snowboarder who topped the FBI's Most Wanted list has been arrested in Mexico after more than a decade in hiding. Ryan Wedding, accused of running a massive transnational cocaine trafficking operation and ordering several killings, surrendered at the U.S. Embassy in Mexico City and was quickly flown to California.
The 44-year-old Wedding, who competed for Canada in the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, turned himself in on Thursday. FBI Director Kash Patel announced the arrest Friday, calling Wedding the 'modern-day El Chapo' for his alleged role in moving around 60 tons of cocaine annually from Colombia through Mexico into the U.S. and Canada, often under the protection of the powerful Sinaloa Cartel.
Wedding faces federal charges including running a criminal enterprise, conspiracy to distribute massive quantities of cocaine, and multiple murder counts. Prosecutors say he orchestrated the 2023 killings of two Canadian family members over a stolen drug shipment, a 2024 murder tied to a drug debt, and the January 2025 assassination of a federal witness in Colombia to block extradition.
"When you go after a guy like Ryan Wedding, it takes a united front, and that’s what you’re seeing here.
— FBI Director Kash Patel
Wedding had been on the FBI's Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list since March 2025, with a $15 million reward offered for information leading to his capture and conviction.
The operation involved close cooperation among authorities in the U.S., Mexico, Canada, Colombia, and the Dominican Republic over more than a year, highlighting international efforts to dismantle violent drug networks.
Authorities also seized large amounts of drugs, weapons, cash, luxury vehicles, motorcycles, artwork, and jewelry linked to Wedding and his associates. So far, 36 people connected to the ring have been arrested.
From Olympian to Alleged Drug Kingpin
Wedding, known by aliases like 'El Jefe' and 'Public Enemy,' previously served time in the U.S. after a 2010 conviction for cocaine conspiracy. He allegedly built a billion-dollar empire that became Canada's largest cocaine supplier, routing shipments via boats, planes, and semitrucks.
Canada has welcomed the arrest as a major blow against drug trafficking, with Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree calling it a 'significant step forward' in the global fight against illegal drugs. Wedding also faces separate charges there dating back to 2015.
A Major Win in the Fight Against Transnational Crime
The arrest comes amid heightened U.S.-Mexico cooperation on cartel threats, including recent extraditions and statements from U.S. officials about targeting drug operations south of the border. Wedding's case underscores how former athletes can become entangled in organized crime.
Key Elements of the Case
The charges paint a picture of extreme violence to protect the enterprise, including using a Canadian website to publicly identify and target a witness for assassination in Medellín, Colombia.
✓ Transnational cocaine trafficking from Colombia to Canada via Mexico and U.S.
✓ Orchestrating multiple murders and witness killings
✓ Alleged ties to the Sinaloa Cartel for protection
✓ International manhunt involving multiple countries
Wedding is expected to appear in federal court in California on Monday and has pleaded not guilty to the charges.
What Happens Next for Ryan Wedding?
With Wedding now in U.S. custody, the focus shifts to his upcoming court proceedings and the potential unraveling of his alleged network. The case serves as a reminder of law enforcement's reach in pursuing high-profile fugitives across borders.
The successful capture demonstrates the power of global partnerships in combating organized crime and drug violence that crosses international lines.
He’s the modern-day El Chapo.— FBI Director Kash Patel
As Wedding faces trial on serious federal charges, his story—from Olympic athlete to alleged violent drug lord—highlights the dark paths some lives can take and the ongoing battle against powerful cartels.
Authorities continue to investigate related suspects, with more arrests possible as the case unfolds.
