FBI hunts ex-Olympic snowboarder in murder-for-drug ring case

U.S. authorities have charged Ryan Wedding, a former Olympic snowboarder, with murder and money laundering in connection with a drug trafficking operation described as one of the world's most violent. The indictment alleges he oversaw the transport of hundreds of kilograms of cocaine from Colombia, through Mexico and into Canada, and ordered the murder of a key witness who was prepared to testify.

The unsealed indictment describes Wedding as the head of a sprawling network with aliases such as El Jefe, Giant, and Public Enemy, and frames the operation as a major, international criminal enterprise. The case highlights a long-running effort to disrupt a network that prosecutors say moved drugs across multiple continents.

A Canadian witness, Jonathan Acebedo-Garcia, was shot dead in a Medellín restaurant in January after Wedding allegedly tracked him down. An Ontario lawyer, Deepak Paradkar, was arrested for allegedly advising Wedding to murder the witness to derail the case. Police in Canada also arrested a Montreal man in connection with the conspiracy.

The charges include murder and money laundering tied to transporting cocaine into North America, and federal authorities describe the organization as one of the most prolific and violent drug-trafficking rings in recent memory. The U.S. Department of Justice has increased the reward for Wedding’s capture and conviction from $10 million to $15 million, underscoring the seriousness of the case.

Wedding, 43, grew up in Thunder Bay, Ontario, and competed for Canada at the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics before his apparent shift to leading a criminal enterprise. Officials emphasize that this is part of a long-running international crackdown, with multiple arrests announced in connection with the case.

Cover image source: F.B.I. Hunt Intensifies for Ryan Wedding, Snowboarder Accused of Being a Drug Kingpin 🔗

#FBIHunt #ExOlympian #DrugTrafficking