Alleged drug kingpin and ex-Olympian Ryan Wedding arrested after years on the run

January 23, 2026

Former Canadian Olympic snowboarder Ryan Wedding, who competed in the 2002 Salt Lake City Games, has been arrested in Mexico after years as a fugitive on the FBI's Ten Most Wanted list. Wedding allegedly operated a massive transnational cocaine trafficking organization that imported approximately 60 metric tonnes of cocaine annually, generating an estimated $1 billion per year and serving as Canada's largest cocaine supplier. He faces numerous felony charges including murder, drug trafficking, money laundering, and witness tampering, with authorities accusing him of ordering dozens of killings across multiple countries.

Who is affected

Ryan Wedding (former Olympic snowboarder and alleged drug kingpin)
Communities in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Latin America, and the Caribbean affected by his alleged drug trafficking operation
Murder victims and their families, including a federal witness
FBI, Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), and Mexican authorities involved in the investigation
Alejandro Castillo (another FBI fugitive arrested in Mexico)

What action is being taken

Ryan Wedding is being extradited to the United States
Wedding is scheduled to make his first court appearance in Los Angeles on Monday
Alejandro Castillo is being extradited back to North Carolina for trial

Why it matters

This arrest represents a major victory against transnational organized crime, dismantling what officials described as the largest cocaine supplier to Canada with operations spanning multiple continents and generating approximately $1 billion annually. The case demonstrates the critical importance of international law enforcement cooperation in combating drug cartels that operate across borders. Wedding's capture removes a violent criminal accused of ordering dozens of murders and running an organization responsible for trafficking 60 metric tonnes of cocaine per year, making communities in North America and beyond significantly safer.

What's next

Wedding is expected to make his first court appearance in Los Angeles on Monday and will face trial on multiple felony charges including murder, drug trafficking, money laundering, and witness tampering.

Read full article from source: BBC