A shocking federal indictment has pulled back the curtain on the double life of Ryan Wedding, a former Canadian Olympic snowboarder, now accused of running a violent global drug empire and ordering the assassination of a key witness in a U.S. narcotics case.
From Olympic Glory to FBI’s Most Wanted
Ryan Wedding, once celebrated for representing Team Canada at the Olympics, is now at the center of an explosive criminal case that reads like a Hollywood thriller. Federal prosecutors allege that Wedding, 44, orchestrated the murder of a witness set to testify against him, resulting in the victim being gunned down in a Medellín, Colombia restaurant in January 2025.
Authorities say Wedding has been a fugitive in Mexico, continuing to direct his criminal enterprise from the shadows. The FBI has placed him on its Ten Most Wanted list, and the U.S. State Department is offering up to
$10 million for information leading to his arrest.
Inside the Alleged Criminal Empire
According to the U.S. Department of Justice, Wedding’s organization operated from 2011 to 2024, trafficking cocaine and laundering millions of dollars across North America and beyond. Prosecutors describe the group as a “transnational criminal enterprise” responsible for multiple murders, including the recent high-profile hit in Colombia.
The indictment details how Wedding allegedly placed a multi-million dollar bounty on the witness—identified only as “Victim A”—who was shot five times in the head while dining out. Several Canadians and Colombians, including a reggaeton musician from Montreal, have been charged as co-conspirators in the plot.
Major International Crackdown
Wednesday’s coordinated press conference featured top officials from the U.S. Department of Justice, Treasury, FBI, and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, underscoring the global scope of the investigation. The U.S. Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) announced sweeping sanctions against Wedding, nine associates, and nine related entities, freezing assets and cutting off access to the U.S. financial system.
Canadian authorities have also arrested a man linked to the case at the FBI’s request, signaling deep cross-border cooperation.
The Fall of a Sports Hero
Wedding’s descent from Olympic athlete to alleged drug lord has stunned the sports world and the public alike. Once a symbol of Canadian pride, he now stands accused of overseeing a criminal network marked by violence, intimidation, and murder.
The DOJ’s indictment also connects Wedding to previous killings in Canada, allegedly ordered in retaliation for a stolen drug shipment.
What’s Next?
With Wedding still at large, the manhunt intensifies. Authorities warn he remains dangerous and continues to direct criminal activity from hiding. The unprecedented $10 million reward reflects the urgency and seriousness of the case.
This case is a stark reminder of how far some will go to protect their criminal interests—and how even the most celebrated public figures can harbor dark secrets.
Sources
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