Ryan Wedding: FBI elevates reward for ex-Olympian as new charges allege murder of federal witness
A former Olympic snowboarder now accused of running one of the world’s most violent drug cartels is facing a fresh slate of charges linked to the murder of a federal witness in the case against him.
Authorities allege Ryan James Wedding, 44, “placed a bounty” on the witness, believing the man’s death would derail the prosecution and dismantle the case against his international drug enterprise. Investigators say Wedding posted photos of the witness and his wife on a Canadian website in an effort to track him down.
Before he could testify, the witness was gunned down inside a restaurant.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.A newly unsealed indictment filed Wednesday accuses Wedding of murder, witness tampering and intimidation, money laundering and drug trafficking, NBC News revealed. Several additional defendants, including a Canadian attorney, are also charged for their alleged roles in the killing.
The US Department of State has increased its reward for Wedding’s capture from $10 million ($A15 million) to $15 million. He remains on the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted Fugitive List.
“You do not get to be a drug kingpin and evade the law,” FBI Director Kash Patel said.
“Make no mistake about it, Ryan Wedding is a modern-day iteration of Pablo Escobar; he’s a modern iteration of El Chapo Guzman. … He will not evade justice.”
Akil Davis, assistant director in charge of the FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office, said investigators believed Wedding is being sheltered by cartel members and others in Mexico.
“Please understand that he might change his hair colour, his appearance, and do anything to avoid capture,” Mr Davis warned.
Attorney General Pam Bondi said Wedding’s network is believed to move roughly 60 metric tons of cocaine into Los Angeles each year using semi-trucks crossing from Mexico.
“He controls one of the most prolific and violent drug-trafficking organisations in this world,” she said.
“He is currently the largest distributor of cocaine in Canada.”
Ms Bondi said the sprawling investigation has so far resulted in more than 35 indictments, the seizure of numerous firearms, the recovery of $3.2 million in cryptocurrency and the confiscation of more than $13 million in physical assets.
According to the FBI, violence was a core tactic of Wedding’s group, which has been tied to multiple murders.
Wedding, who competed for Canada at the 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Olympics, was already facing attempted murder and other counts in a superseding indictment handed down in September 2024.
