Olympic snowboarder-turned-drug kingpin charged with murder of witness, say US officials

November 19, 2025

Ryan Wedding, a former Olympic snowboarder turned alleged drug cartel leader, is accused of orchestrating the murder of a federal witness by posting the victim's photograph on a fake Canadian news website to help locate him. US authorities have increased the reward for Wedding's capture to $15 million and compare him to Pablo Escobar, believing he operates from Mexico under Sinaloa cartel protection while running what they describe as the largest cocaine supplier to Canada. Law enforcement announced 10 arrests connected to Wedding's organization, including a Canadian lawyer who allegedly advised on the witness murder and received luxury watches as payment.

Who is affected

Ryan Wedding (former Olympic snowboarder, alleged cartel leader)
The murdered federal witness and his wife (whose photos were posted online)
Seven Canadians arrested in Quebec, Ontario, and Alberta
Deepak Balwant Paradkar (Canadian lawyer accused of providing illegal services)
Gursewak Singh Bal (alleged co-founder of The Dirty Newz)
Carmen Yelinet Valoyes Florez (Colombian national running alleged prostitution ring)
Atna Ohna (Quebec resident accused of hiring hitman)
Canada (identified as receiving largest cocaine supply from the organization)
Communities across North America, US, Canada, Latin America, and Mexico affected by the cartel's operations

What action is being taken

US authorities raised the reward for Wedding's arrest from $10 million to $15 million
The FBI is seeking unknown suspects involved in the murder, including the killer and an escape accomplice
Seven Canadians are being extradited to the US
Law enforcement is searching for an eighth person in Canada who is still being sought

Why it matters

This case represents what the FBI Director describes as a level of narco-trafficking and narco-terrorism not seen in a long time, with an organization generating over $1 billion annually as Canada's largest cocaine supplier. The case demonstrates the dangerous intersection of sophisticated criminal networks operating across multiple countries, the vulnerability of witnesses in federal cases, and the exploitation of digital platforms to facilitate violence. The involvement of professionals like lawyers in facilitating cartel operations and the alleged ordering of dozens of murders globally highlights the extensive reach and brutality of modern transnational organized crime.

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: BBC