Key Takeaways
- The U.S. is alleged to be "inflating" the image of Ryan Wedding, a former Canadian Olympian, to create a major news event when he is finally taken down.
- A Sinaloa cartel operative believes that the U.S. is exaggerating Wedding’s importance to distract from other issues and to create a sensational story.
- The U.S. Justice Department believes that Wedding lives in Mexico under the protection of the Sinaloa cartel and is responsible for moving large quantities of cocaine into the U.S. and Canada.
- A $15-million reward is being offered for Wedding’s capture, and he has been added to the FBI’s list of 10 most-wanted fugitives.
- The Sinaloa cartel has a significant presence in Canada and is involved in the trafficking of various drugs, including cocaine, methamphetamine, and fentanyl.
Introduction to the Case
The U.S. is allegedly "inflating" the image of Ryan Wedding, a former Canadian Olympian, to create a major news event when he is finally taken down. This claim was made by an operative with the Mexican cartel that law enforcement believes is protecting Wedding. The operative, who spoke to CBC News in northwestern Mexico, stated that his organization has dealt with Canadian narcotics customers for over two decades but had only recently heard of Wedding’s name through news reports and social media posts.
The Sinaloa Cartel’s Involvement
The U.S. Justice Department believes that Wedding, 44, lives in Mexico under the protection of the Sinaloa cartel, one of the most prominent transnational crime groups in the world. The cartel operative, who provides "security" for his faction, doubts that Wedding could move large quantities of cocaine on his own without significant local backing. He believes that the cartel is not protecting Wedding due to its current internal conflict, which has triggered an increased presence of the Mexican military and federal police in the state of Sinaloa.
The Search for Wedding
A $15-million reward is being offered by the U.S. State Department for Wedding’s capture, who has been a fugitive since 2015. The FBI has added Wedding to its list of 10 most-wanted fugitives, and U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi has stated that Wedding runs an organization that has moved many tonnes of cocaine from Mexico into the U.S. and Canada. However, the Sinaloa cartel operative believes that the U.S. is exaggerating Wedding’s importance to distract from other issues and to create a sensational story.
The Cartel’s Presence in Canada
The Sinaloa cartel has had a presence in Canada for at least 25 years and is involved in everything from cocaine to methamphetamine and fentanyl trafficking. The cartel operative stated that business is profitable in Canada despite the weak dollar, as drug products fetch a higher price due to the distance they travel. He also noted that the trade is in turmoil in the U.S. due to organized crime groups regularly stealing each other’s loads, whereas in Canada, the clients are more "high-end" and consist of people who work with large numbers.
The National Guard’s Response
Maj.-Gen. Julices Julián González Calzada, who oversees Mexico’s National Guard troops in Sinaloa, stated that the focus of his work is bringing peace back to the people of Culiacan. However, Wedding is not on their radar, and González Calzada has very little information about him. The cartel operative’s claims and the National Guard’s response suggest that the situation is more complex than initially thought, and that the U.S. may be exaggerating Wedding’s importance to serve its own interests.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the case of Ryan Wedding is a complex and multifaceted issue that involves the Sinaloa cartel, the U.S. Justice Department, and the Mexican government. While the U.S. believes that Wedding is a significant player in the cocaine trade, the cartel operative’s claims suggest that the situation may be more nuanced. Ultimately, the truth about Wedding’s involvement and the cartel’s protection of him remains to be seen, and it is likely that the story will continue to unfold in the coming months and years.
