Ex-Olympian Faces Serious Accusations in North American Drug Network

Olympic rings sculpture against blue sky.

A former Olympic athlete now at the heart of North America’s drug trafficking headlines, Ryan James Wedding, has spurred a cross-nation hunt and legal case full of intrigue and gravity.

At a Glance

  • Ryan James Wedding, once an Olympic snowboarder, now accused of leading a cocaine trafficking network.
  • Charges include conspiracy, drug trafficking, and involvement in multiple murders.
  • Authorities offer a $50,000 reward for information leading to his arrest.
  • The operation allegedly involved 60 tons of cocaine yearly, spanning from Colombia to Canada.

From Olympian to Fugitive

Ryan James Wedding, a former Canadian Olympic snowboarder aged 43, faces accusations of running “The Wedding Criminal Enterprise,” a major cocaine trafficking organization. U.S. prosecutors have charged him with conspiracy to distribute cocaine and murder, alleging he operated a vast network moving drugs from Colombia through Mexico and into California, eventually reaching Canada. With Wedding now branded a fugitive, the FBI offers a $50,000 reward for his apprehension.

Wedding, who competed in the 2002 Winter Olympics, allegedly transformed from an athlete to a criminal mastermind, orchestrating the distribution of approximately 60 tons of cocaine annually. His network is linked with the infamous Sinaloa Cartel, known for its involvement in international drug trade and violent activities.

Charges and Operations

Wedding faces extensive charges, including conspiracy to export cocaine, criminal enterprise leadership, and multiple homicides. Authorities believe the operation’s scope generated billions, facilitated by established routes stretching from Colombia to the United States and Canada. His second-in-command, Andrew Clark, was recently apprehended in Mexico, marking a significant case development.

“An Olympic athlete-turned-drug lord is now charged with leading a transnational organized crime group that engaged in cocaine trafficking and murder, including of innocent civilians,” said U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada of California’s Central District.

Investigations indicate that Wedding’s network not only trafficked vast drug quantities but also engaged in violent acts, hiring contract killers and executing rivals. Notable incidents linked to the enterprise include the mistaken identity killing of an Indian couple in Canada, highlighting the group’s ruthless and reckless nature.

Ongoing Investigations and Future Proceedings

Beyond current charges, Wedding’s criminal history reveals a previous cocaine trafficking conviction in 2009. Authorities arrested 12 individuals across the U.S., Canada, Colombia, and Mexico as part of ongoing operations to dismantle the network. In addition, Wedding faces unresolved drug trafficking charges in Canada dating back to 2015.

“The cocaine shipments were transported from Mexico to the Los Angeles area, where the cocaine trafficking organization’s operatives would store the cocaine in stash houses, before delivering it to the transportation network couriers for transportation to Canada using long-haul semi-trucks,” confirmed officials.

The legal consequences facing Wedding could be significant, with potential life sentences for murder and criminal enterprise charges. His involvement in the cocaine trade post-2009 indicates an alleged continuing protection by the Sinaloa Cartel. As authorities from the FBI to the Ontario Provincial Police coordinate efforts against the network, the complexity and international scope of the case promise ongoing developments.

Sources

1. Former Olympic Snowboarder Wanted by F.B.I. on Murder and Drug Charges

2. 16 Defendants Charged in Superseding Indictment Alleging Bulk Shipments of Cocaine to Canada, Four Murders

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