Former Canadian snowboarder ‘unleashed an avalanche of death and destruction,’ say FBI
On March 6, the FBI announced an increase in the maximum reward for the capture of Canadian Ryan James Wedding, the alleged leader of a Mexican Cartel-linked criminal network. RCMP are working with the FBI for his capture.
Wedding, a former Olympic snowboarder, who represented Canada in snowboarding at the Salt Lake City Olympics in 2002, is accused of leading the violent international drug trafficking ring ordering multiple killings. Police believe he ran tons of cocaine from Colombia to Mexico, the U.S. and Canada.
A reward of up to $10 million USD was announced for information leading to the arrest and/or conviction of Wedding, who also goes by the names: “Giant” “Public Enemy” and “El Jefe.”
The reward was authorized by Secretary of State Marco Rubio under the Narcotics Rewards Program (NRP), which supports law enforcement efforts to disrupt transnational crime globally and bring fugitives to justice. This reward offering supplements the FBI’s current offering of $50,000 for information leading to Wedding’s apprehension, arrest, and extradition, and further, is jointly being offered with assistance from the Canadian and Mexican governments as part of a unified effort to bring Wedding to justice.
“As alleged in the superseding indictment, defendant Ryan Wedding—a former Olympian—led a transnational criminal organization that murdered innocent people and put thousands of kilograms of narcotics on our streets,” said Acting United States Attorney Joseph T. McNally. “The reward offered today will help bring this defendant to justice in the United States. We urge anyone with information about Wedding to contact law enforcement and help us get Mr. Wedding into custody.”
Wedding went from shredding powder on the slopes at the Olympics to distributing powder cocaine on the streets of U.S. cities and in his native Canada. Wedding is accused of orchestrating multiple murders in furtherance of these drug crimes.
FBI
“The former Canadian snowboarder unleashed an avalanche of death and destruction, here and abroad,” said Matthew Allen, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Los Angeles Field Division. “He earned the name ‘El Jefe’, becoming boss of a violent transnational drug trafficking organization. Now, his face will be on ‘The Top 10 Most Wanted’ posters. He’s unremitting, callous and greed-driven. Today’s announcement beams an even brighter searchlight on him. We ask that you help us find him.”
Wedding’s accomplice, Canadian Andrew Clark, is also wanted.
The superseding indictment also alleges that Wedding and Clark’s organization resorted to violence—including multiple murders—to achieve its aims. Wedding and Clark allegedly directed the November 20, 2023, murders of two members of a family in Ontario, Canada, in retaliation for a stolen drug shipment that passed through Southern California. Another member of that family survived the shooting but was left with serious physical injuries. Wedding and Clark allegedly also ordered the murder of another victim on May 18, 2024, over a drug debt. In addition, Clark and Malik Damion Cunningham, 23, a dual Canadian-American citizen, are charged with the April 1, 2024, murder of another victim in Ontario, Canada.
“Wedding went from shredding powder on the slopes at the Olympics to distributing powder cocaine on the streets of U.S. cities and in his native Canada,” said Akil Davis, the Assistant Director of the FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office. “The alleged murders of his competitors make Wedding a very dangerous man, and his addition to the list of Ten Most Wanted Fugitives, coupled with a major reward offer by the State Department, will make the public our partner so that we can catch up with him before he puts anyone else in danger.”
Wedding will also be placed on the FBI’s Top 10 Most Wanted list.
Wedding was charged in an original indictment with running a continuing criminal enterprise, murder, and conspiring to possess, distribute, and export cocaine.
“Ryan Wedding continues to pose one of the largest organized crime threats to Canada, even as a fugitive.”
Liam Price, Director General, International Special Services
Wedding is wanted for allegedly running and participating in a transnational drug trafficking operation that routinely shipped hundreds of kilograms of cocaine from Colombia, through Mexico and Southern California, to Canada, and other locations in the United States.
Additionally, it is alleged that Wedding was involved in orchestrating multiple murders in furtherance of these drug crimes.
“Ryan Wedding continues to pose one of the largest organized crime threats to Canada, even as a fugitive,” said Liam Price, Director General, International Special Services. “We will continue to work with our US and Mexico counterparts in the search for Wedding. Never has it been more important than now to ensure our continued collaboration with our international partners to tackle the threats we face and prevent transnational crime from hurting everyday Canadians and our allies.”
Chief Superintendent Mathieu Bertrand, Director General, Serious and Organized Crime and Border Integrity said the RCMP is serious about going after the leaders of these drug trafficking organizations.
“Through collaborative efforts with the FBI, we have disrupted a major organized crime group. We will continue to work with the FBI, as well as our Canadian police partner agencies, to work towards ensuring the safety and security of our communities and citizens.”
On Sept. 17, 2024, a federal arrest warrant was issued for Ryan James Wedding in the United States District Court, Central District of California, Los Angeles, California, after he was charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with Intent to distribute controlled substances; conspiracy to export cocaine; continuing criminal enterprise; murder in connection with a continuing criminal enterprise and drug crime; and attempt to commit murder in connection with a continuing criminal enterprise and drug crime.
Law enforcement involved in this investigation is aware of past and current attempts to intimidate/threaten witnesses by the Wedding organization and affiliates. Any attempt to intimidate or threaten a witness will be investigated thoroughly and those found committing these offences will be prosecuted.
The RCMP and FBI worked together for over a year to target a Mexican Cartel-linked criminal network. This network has been moving large amounts of methamphetamine and cocaine from Central and South America via the United States to Canada and overseas. It also has been commissioning murders across North America, and laundering significant proceeds of crime.
RCMP Federal Policing worked closely with the FBI during the investigation and acted as a crucial link to Canadian law enforcement, including Niagara Regional Police, Ontario Provincial Police, Toronto Police Service, Sûreté du Québec, and Peel Regional Police.
Organized crime extends beyond borders and is constantly developing new ways to thwart the law. Partnerships, such as the one with the FBI, allow the RCMP to join forces to disrupt criminal activity.Any member of the public with information on the whereabouts of Ryan Wedding is asked to contact the FBI by phone (voice, WhatsApp, Signal, Telegram, or text) at +1-424 495-0614. If you are located outside of the United States, you may also visit the nearest U.S., Canadian, or Mexican Embassy or Consulate. If you are in the United States, you can also contact the local FBI field office.
Do you have information on the illegal activities of individuals or groups of individuals? Contact the RCMP or your local police department.
