Ryan Wedding, a Canadian Olympic snowboarder, is now facing serious charges for allegedly running a violent drug trafficking organization. The FBI has placed him on its wanted list following a 16-count indictment announced by Martin Estrada, the U.S. Attorney for the Central District of California.
Wedding, along with 15 co-defendants, is accused of conspiring to ship large quantities of cocaine, utilizing various aliases like “El Jefe,” “Giant,” and “Public Enemy.”
The indictment details a sophisticated operation where Wedding and his associates transported cocaine from Colombia to Mexico, using stash houses in the Los Angeles area. From there, the drugs were allegedly delivered to couriers who took them to Canada via semi-trucks.
This criminal network reportedly engaged in extensive drug trafficking activities that spanned multiple countries and involved the movement of hundreds of kilograms of cocaine.
Canadian Olympic Snowboarder Ryan Wedding Indicted for Running Violent Drug Trafficking Ring
In addition to drug trafficking, the charges against Wedding include ordering violent retaliatory acts. Authorities allege that he and his associates committed two murders in Ontario, Canada, targeting family members in response to an intercepted drug shipment in Southern California. Another murder is said to have occurred due to a drug debt, further emphasizing the brutality associated with their operation.
The investigation has resulted in significant seizures, including over one ton of cocaine, $255,000 in cash, $3.2 million in cryptocurrency, and firearms.
In just one month, the organization is reported to have delivered 646 pounds of cocaine in March 2024 and attempted to move another 827 pounds in April, which law enforcement intercepted. The estimated value of the cocaine possessed by the defendants ranges from $23.4 million to $25.2 million.
Facing eight felony charges, Wedding’s legal troubles are severe. These include conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, conspiracy to export cocaine, and multiple counts related to murder in connection with his drug enterprise.
If convicted of the drug charges, he could face a minimum of 10 years in prison, while the murder and criminal enterprise charges carry the potential for life sentences. Wedding’s case marks a significant downfall for an athlete previously known for his Olympic career, showcasing the extent of his alleged criminal involvement.
