Former Olympian in U.S. Custody After Mexico Surrender
Ryan Wedding, a 44-year-old former Canadian Olympic snowboarder, has surrendered in Mexico City and is now in U.S. custody. The individual, who authorities allege became a significant drug kingpin, turned himself in on Thursday night, January 22, 2026, after more than a decade on the run. His apprehension marks a significant development in a transnational investigation into a vast drug trafficking network.
From Olympic Slopes to Alleged Criminal Enterprise
Wedding, born in Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada, represented his country at the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, Utah, competing in the men's parallel giant slalom event where he finished 24th. Following his Olympic career, Wedding's life took a dramatic turn, leading to a prior conviction for attempting to buy cocaine from a U.S. government agent, for which he served a four-year prison sentence. After his release, he allegedly escalated his involvement in criminal activities, eventually being placed on the FBI's Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list in March 2025. He was known by several aliases, including 'El Jefe,' 'Giant,' and 'Public Enemy.'
Extensive Drug Trafficking and Murder Allegations
U.S. authorities accuse Wedding of leading 'one of the most prolific and violent drug-trafficking organizations' globally. His alleged enterprise is said to have imported approximately 60 metric tons of cocaine annually from Colombia, through Mexico and Southern California, with Los Angeles, San Bernardino, and Riverside counties serving as key distribution hubs before reaching Canada and other U.S. locations. The charges against Wedding are extensive, including:
- Running a continuing criminal enterprise
- Assorted drug trafficking charges
- Ordering the murder of a witness in a federal narcotics case
- Directing the murders of two family members in Caledon, Ontario, Canada, in November 2023, in retaliation for a stolen drug shipment
- Ordering the murder of another victim in Canada in May 2024 over a drug debt
- Ordering the murder of an associate in Colombia in January 2025
FBI Director Kash Patel described Wedding as having gone 'from an Olympic snowboarder to the largest narco trafficker in modern times,' comparing him to figures like 'El Chapo' and 'Pablo Escobar.'
The Surrender and Future Proceedings
Wedding's surrender was the result of negotiations, with sources indicating he turned himself in at the U.S. Embassy in Mexico City. FBI Director Patel confirmed the arrest at a news conference at Ontario International Airport, stating that the FBI's Hostage Rescue Team took Wedding into custody after 'an intense negotiation.' Mexican and U.S. authorities reportedly 'worked hand in glove' to facilitate the apprehension. The U.S. Department of State had offered a reward of up to $15 million for information leading to his arrest and/or conviction. Wedding is scheduled to appear before a federal judge in Los Angeles to enter a plea. If convicted on charges related to murder, drug trafficking, and witness tampering, he faces a potential life sentence.
5 Comments
Eugene Alta
The 'largest narco trafficker' comparison to El Chapo feels like sensationalist hype.
BuggaBoom
While it's important that alleged criminals face justice, the fact he was able to operate such a massive enterprise for so long raises serious questions about international drug enforcement strategies.
Habibi
A surrender isn't a capture. Sounds like a deal was made behind the scenes.
Raphael
He was on the run for over a decade. Where was the FBI all that time?
Donatello
It's good to see cooperation between U.S. and Mexican authorities leading to an arrest in a high-profile case, yet it also underscores how deeply entrenched and global these criminal networks are.