An ex-Olympian turned alleged drug kingpin has been accused of orchestrating a hit on a federal witness, as revealed by US Attorney General Pam Bondi during a press conference in DC. Ryan Wedding, a former snowboarder who represented Canada in the 2002 Winter Olympics, reportedly shared photos of the witness online after being indicted in 2024. The witness was later fatally shot in a restaurant in Medellin, Colombia on January 31, leading to Wedding facing additional charges of witness tampering, intimidation, money laundering, and drug trafficking.
According to authorities, Wedding is believed to be one of the world’s biggest drug kingpins, controlling a significant drug trafficking organization that smuggles 60 metric tons of cocaine into the US annually. The FBI has labeled Wedding as one of their top 10 most-wanted fugitives, emphasizing their commitment to apprehending him and bringing him to justice.
Wedding’s criminal activities allegedly involve importing large quantities of cocaine from Colombia through Mexico and distributing them in various US communities. The FBI Director Kash Patel stated that Wedding’s violent actions will not be tolerated, and efforts will be made to capture him and his associates.
As part of the investigation into the witness’s murder, dubbed “Operation Giant Slalom,” ten defendants have been arrested, including seven Canadians, one Colombian, and an individual from Orlando, FL. The State Department has increased the reward for Wedding’s capture to $15 million, reflecting the severity of his alleged crimes.
Authorities suspect that Wedding is currently residing in Mexico and collaborating closely with the Sinaloa Cartel. First Assistant United States Attorney Bill Essayli emphasized the resolve to bring Wedding and other wrongdoers associated with his criminal organization to justice, ensuring that they face severe consequences for their actions.
The case of Ryan Wedding serves as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by drug trafficking and organized crime. It underscores the dedication of law enforcement agencies to combat such criminal activities and hold those responsible accountable for their actions.
