Ryan Wedding, a former Canadian Olympic snowboarder, has been arrested in Mexico after more than a decade on the run. U.S. officials confirmed his capture, stating he will face charges including drug trafficking, money laundering, and murder.
Immediate Action & Core Facts
Wedding, 44, was arrested Thursday night in Mexico City and flown to California, according to U.S. officials. He was a member of the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list and had been sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury Department. A $15 million reward was offered for his capture.
U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi and FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed the arrest, describing Wedding as an “extremely violent criminal” and comparing him to notorious drug lords Pablo Escobar and El Chapo. Mexican officials stated he voluntarily surrendered at the U.S. embassy in Mexico City.
Deeper Dive & Context
Alleged Criminal Operations
Federal prosecutors allege Wedding ran a transnational drug-trafficking network that moved cocaine from Colombia through Mexico to the U.S. and Canada, reportedly under the protection of Mexico’s Sinaloa Cartel. The operation was said to generate over $1 billion annually in illegal proceeds.
Wedding is accused of ordering the murder of a federal witness in Colombia and several other killings. He was also charged with witness tampering, intimidation, and money laundering.
Law Enforcement Cooperation
The arrest followed years of collaboration between U.S. and Mexican authorities. FBI Director Kash Patel met with Mexican security officials in Mexico City before departing with two detainees, including Wedding. Mexican Security Secretary Omar García Harfuch confirmed the cooperation.
Background and Rewards
Wedding competed for Canada in the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City. The FBI had previously released a photo believed to have been taken in Mexico, suggesting he had been hiding there for years. The $15 million reward for his arrest or conviction remains unconfirmed as paid out.
Ongoing Investigations
U.S. officials have not disclosed how Wedding was captured but emphasized the significance of his arrest for regional and global security. The case highlights the challenges of combating transnational organized crime.