Former Canadian Olympic snowboarder Ryan Wedding, a fugitive on the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted list for alleged drug trafficking and murder, has been arrested in Mexico City and returned to the United States. His capture ends a decade-long international manhunt and highlights cross-border law enforcement cooperation.
Ryan Wedding was taken into custody on Thursday night in Mexico City after surrendering at the U.S. embassy, according to FBI Director Kash Patel. He was transported to Ontario, California, on Friday, where he is now in U.S. custody. The arrest was the result of a coordinated effort involving the FBI, Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), and Mexican authorities. Patel described the operation as “complex” and “high-stakes,” involving the FBI Hostage Rescue Team.
Wedding faces a slew of felony charges, including murder, witness tampering, money laundering, and drug trafficking. He is accused of running a transnational criminal organization that imported an estimated 60 metric tonnes of cocaine annually, with operations spanning North America, Latin America, and the Caribbean. The FBI had offered a $15 million reward for information leading to his arrest, though it is unclear if anyone will claim it.
Once a promising athlete who represented Canada in the 2002 Winter Olympics, Wedding’s life took a criminal turn after his release from U.S. prison in 2011 for cocaine distribution. He allegedly built a drug empire worth billions, earning comparisons to notorious figures like Pablo Escobar and El Chapo. While on the run, he used aliases and underwent plastic surgery to evade capture, living a luxurious lifestyle in Mexico.
The successful arrest underscores the importance of international collaboration in fighting organized crime. FBI Director Patel praised the joint efforts, stating that “no single agency or nation can combat transnational organised crime alone.” RCMP Commissioner Michael Duheme echoed this sentiment, calling the capture “a great day for public safety in Canada.” Mexican officials also played a key role in facilitating the surrender.
Wedding’s alleged crimes have had devastating consequences, including the murder of an Indian couple in Ontario in 2023, which authorities linked to his drug network. He is also accused of ordering the killing of a federal witness and several others, highlighting the violent nature of his operation. These incidents underscore the human cost of transnational drug trafficking.
Wedding is scheduled to make his first court appearance in Los Angeles on Monday, where he will enter a plea. The case is expected to be complex, with prosecutors preparing to present evidence from multiple countries. Meanwhile, questions remain about whether the $15 million reward will be paid and how investigators pinpointed his location after years on the run.
The arrest of such a high-profile fugitive sends a strong message to other criminal networks about the reach of international law enforcement. It also raises issues about the protection fugitives receive in countries like Mexico and the challenges of extraditing suspects across borders. As Wedding faces justice, the focus shifts to dismantling the remnants of his criminal enterprise and ensuring accountability for the numerous victims affected by his alleged actions. This case serves as a reminder of the ongoing battle against global drug trafficking and the resilience of cross-border partnerships.
