Key Takeaways:
- Ryan Wedding, a former Canadian Olympian, is wanted by the FBI for his alleged involvement in a massive drug trafficking operation.
- The reward for his capture has been increased to $15 million US, making him one of the most wanted fugitives in the world.
- Wedding is believed to be living in Mexico under the protection of the Sinaloa cartel.
- He is accused of trafficking over $1 billion worth of cocaine into Canada and the US each year.
- Wedding’s alleged criminal enterprise is also accused of laundering profits and committing violent acts, including murder.
Introduction to Ryan Wedding
Ryan Wedding, a former Canadian Olympian, has been making headlines recently due to his alleged involvement in a massive drug trafficking operation. The FBI has compared him to Pablo Escobar, one of the most notorious drug lords in history. Wedding, who was born in Thunder Bay, Ontario, in 1981, was a talented snowboarder who represented Canada in the 2002 Winter Olympics. However, his life took a turn for the worse after he quit competitive snowboarding and became involved in the cannabis industry. He allegedly started mass-producing cannabis at a rural property in British Columbia, which was raided by the RCMP in 2006.
Wedding’s Involvement in the Drug Trade
Wedding’s involvement in the drug trade began to escalate after he was arrested in the US in 2008 for attempting to buy 24 kilograms of cocaine. He was found guilty of conspiracy to distribute cocaine and sentenced to 48 months in US federal prison. After his release, Wedding became one of the targets of a police sting operation, known as Operation Harrington, which aimed to take down his alleged drug trafficking network. Although several of his associates were arrested, Wedding managed to escape and has been on the run ever since. According to court documents, Wedding’s network trafficked over $1 billion worth of cocaine into Canada and the US each year, and was involved in violent acts, including murder.
The Investigation and Arrests
The investigation into Wedding’s alleged drug trafficking operation has been ongoing for several years, with the FBI and RCMP working together to gather evidence and make arrests. In 2024, one of Wedding’s former associates, Jonathan Acebedo-Garcia, became a government informant, providing crucial information that led to several arrests and the seizure of millions of dollars worth of drugs. However, Acebedo-Garcia’s involvement came at a cost, as he was allegedly murdered in Colombia in January 2025. Several people have been arrested in connection with his murder, including a Montreal hit man and a lawyer who was allegedly involved in the hunt for Acebedo-Garcia.
The FBI’s Most Wanted List
In March 2025, Wedding was added to the FBI’s top 10 most-wanted fugitive list, with a reward of $10 million US for information leading to his capture. The reward has since been increased to $15 million US, making him one of the most wanted fugitives in the world. The FBI has also seized several assets linked to Wedding, including an ultra-rare $13-million Mercedes. US Attorney General Pam Bondi and FBI Director Kash Patel have described Wedding’s alleged drug trafficking empire as one of the largest and most violent in the world.
Conclusion
Ryan Wedding’s story is a cautionary tale of how a talented athlete can become involved in the dark world of drug trafficking. His alleged involvement in a massive drug trafficking operation has led to the deaths of several people, including a government informant, and has resulted in the seizure of millions of dollars worth of drugs and assets. The FBI and RCMP are continuing to work together to bring Wedding to justice, and the increased reward for his capture is a testament to the seriousness of the allegations against him. As the investigation continues, it is likely that more arrests will be made and more information will come to light about Wedding’s alleged drug trafficking empire.