Once praised for his sporting accomplishments, a former Olympic snowboarder is now facing serious allegations related to multiple killings and an international drug trafficking organization. U.S. federal authorities have charged the 43-year-old Canadian Ryan James Wedding with masterminding a large-scale drug ring and planning deadly crimes throughout North America.
Contents
- 1 Olympian Becomes Mastermind of Crime
- 2 Operation To Traffic Drugs: From Colombia to North America
- 3 Charges of murder associated with the drug trade
- 4 A Slip from Grace: The Olympic History of Wedding
- 5 Investigations and seizures in multiple countries
- 6 Prior Verdicts and Cartel Associations
- 7 Continuous attempts to record weddings and other events
Olympian Becomes Mastermind of Crime
In October 2023, authorities charged former Winter Olympics competitor Ryan James Wedding with eight federal offenses. These accusations include conspiracy to possess, distribute, and export substantial amounts of cocaine, murder, and managing an ongoing criminal operation. U.S. federal prosecutors from the Central District of California made these charges public. Currently, authorities have designated Wedding as a fugitive and believe he is hiding in Mexico. Before distributing the drugs across the United States and Canada, his criminal network allegedly trafficked hundreds of pounds of cocaine from Colombia through Mexico and the Los Angeles area.
Operation To Traffic Drugs: From Colombia to North America
Wedding was in charge of a massive drug trafficking organization that smuggled cocaine from Colombia, transported it to Mexico, and distributed it throughout the United States and Canada. Prosecutors claim that Wedding transported the drugs via long-haul trucks, a strategy intended to evade detection and guarantee broad distribution.
Under the aliases “El Jefe,” “Giant,” and “Public Enemy,” authorities accused Wedding of leading a violent and dangerous group. Federal authorities claim that Wedding’s operation carried out several killings to maintain control over the drug trade and engaged in other extreme acts of violence to protect its interests.
Charges of murder associated with the drug trade
One of Wedding’s purported crimes was ordering multiple killings. In November 2023, authorities charged Wedding and his colleague Andrew Clark with planning the murders of two individuals in Ontario, Canada. Reports indicate that the perpetrators carried out these killings as retaliation for a stolen narcotics shipment. Another person sustained injuries during the assault.
Prosecutors claim that Wedding and Clark ordered another murder in May 2024, allegedly due to a drug debt. U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada highlighted the lethal aspect of Wedding’s organisation, claiming that Wedding “chose to become a major drug trafficker, and he chose to become a killer.”
A Slip from Grace: The Olympic History of Wedding
In the parallel giant slalom competition at the 2002 Winter Olympics, Ryan James Wedding competed on behalf of Canada. But his engagement in illegal activity quickly overshadowed his sports achievements. Many were shocked to witness Wedding’s transformation from an Olympic athlete to a drug trafficker, despite his early success in sports.
Investigations and seizures in multiple countries
For a number of years, law enforcement has been looking into Wedding’s drug trafficking network. Significant seizures resulted from the enquiry, including $255,400 in US dollars, guns, ammunition, and more than one tonne of cocaine. Authorities also seized over $3.2 million in bitcoin associated with the illicit drug trade. The enquiry led to the charging of 16 people linked to the drug ring, several of whom, including Wedding, are still at large.
Prior Verdicts and Cartel Associations
Wedding has previously encountered legal issues. In 2010, the court found him guilty and sentenced him to prison for conspiracy to distribute cocaine. Wedding apparently returned to drug trafficking after his parole, despite his previous conviction. The prosecution claims that Wedding continued his illegal business after his release from prison, receiving protection from the notorious Sinaloa Cartel, one of Mexico’s most potent drug organisations.
Continuous attempts to record weddings and other events
Despite the arrest of several members of Wedding’s group, including Andrew Clark, authorities continue their efforts to bring others to justice. In October 2023, Clark was taken into custody in Mexico, and four people—including Wedding—are still at large. Dismantling such deadly criminal enterprises is crucial, according to U.S. Attorney Estrada, who warned that anyone who tampered with Wedding’s organization would suffer punishment, including murder.
The accusations against Ryan James Wedding create a somber image of a sportsman who previously competed internationally for his nation before being involved in a violent and risky criminal operation. The case serves as a reminder of the tragic effects of violence in the drug trade and the far-reaching effects of international drug trafficking, and federal prosecutors are committed to bringing Wedding and his colleagues to justice.
