In a dramatic international development, former Canadian Olympic snowboarder Ryan Wedding has been arrested by authorities after featuring prominently on the FBI's Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list. The 44-year-old athlete turned alleged criminal mastermind was apprehended in Mexico, with official confirmation expected at a news conference featuring FBI Director Kash Patel in California.
From Olympic Glory to Global Manhunt
Ryan Wedding represented Canada in snowboarding at the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, competing on the world's grandest sporting stage. His athletic career stands in stark contrast to the serious criminal allegations that have since emerged, painting a picture of a dramatic fall from grace that has captured international attention.
Serious International Criminal Allegations
Wedding faces extraordinary accusations of orchestrating dozens of murders across multiple continents, including operations in the United States, Canada, and various Latin American nations. Authorities allege these killings were committed to further a sophisticated international drug trafficking operation that moved cocaine between Colombia, Mexico, Southern California, and Canada using semitrucks.
The former Olympian had been the subject of an intense manhunt, with authorities offering a substantial $15 million reward for information leading to his arrest and conviction. This significant bounty underscored the seriousness with which international law enforcement agencies viewed his alleged crimes and their determination to bring him to justice.
Complex Web of Criminal Charges
Wedding's legal troubles span multiple jurisdictions and years. He was originally charged in 2024 with running the extensive drug ring, but his legal situation became considerably more serious in November 2025 when U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi unveiled a new indictment containing additional grave charges.
The updated indictment includes allegations of murder, witness tampering and intimidation, money laundering, and further drug trafficking offenses. One particularly disturbing allegation involves Wedding and co-conspirators allegedly using a Canadian website called The Dirty News to post a photograph of a witness to facilitate their identification and subsequent murder in Medellín in January.
Previous Convictions and Ongoing Legal Battles
This is not Wedding's first encounter with the American justice system. Federal records indicate he was previously convicted in the United States in 2010 for conspiracy to distribute cocaine and served a prison sentence for that offense. Additionally, he faces separate drug trafficking charges in Canada dating back to 2015, according to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.
Authorities noted that Wedding operated under multiple aliases during his alleged criminal activities, including "El Jefe," "Public Enemy," and "James Conrad Kin." These alternative identities reportedly helped him evade capture while allegedly coordinating international criminal operations across borders.
International Cooperation Leads to Arrest
The arrest in Mexico represents the culmination of extensive international cooperation between law enforcement agencies across North America. The involvement of multiple countries reflects the transnational nature of the alleged crimes and the coordinated effort required to track and apprehend a fugitive of Wedding's profile.
As details continue to emerge about the circumstances of his capture and the evidence against him, this case highlights the complex intersection of international crime, drug trafficking networks, and the unexpected trajectories that can follow sporting careers. The upcoming news conference with FBI leadership is expected to provide further details about the investigation and the legal proceedings that will follow this significant arrest.
