Olympic Snowboarder Turned Fugitive: The Capture of Ryan Wedding

Former Canadian Olympian Arrested in Mexico City

Ryan Wedding, a former Canadian Olympian, was recently arrested in Mexico City. Known for his flashy lifestyle, he was accused of being a major player in drug trafficking. The FBI confirmed his capture, marking the 500th arrest in the history of their Most Wanted list.

The Raid and Seizures

Wedding's arrest came after a series of raids in Mexico, where authorities seized motorcycles worth $40 million. These motorcycles included rare racing models, and a $13 million Mercedes hypercar was also impounded before the seizures. The FBI worked closely with Mexican, Canadian, and Los Angeles authorities to track down Wedding.

International Cooperation

The FBI Director, Kash Patel, praised the international cooperation that led to Wedding's arrest. Patel compared Wedding to the infamous drug lord Pablo Escobar, highlighting the scale of his operations. Wedding was responsible for moving large amounts of cocaine through California and into Canada, earning him a place on the FBI's Most Wanted list.

Recent Successes

Wedding's capture was not the only recent success for the FBI. Another fugitive, Alejandro Castillo, was also extradited to the US. Castillo was wanted for the murder of his former girlfriend in 2016. The FBI had offered a $250,000 reward for information leading to his capture.

Collaborative Efforts

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) Commissioner, Mike Duheme, commended the collaborative effort that resulted in Wedding's arrest. He emphasized that combating transnational organized crime requires teamwork and cooperation among different agencies and nations.

A Stark Reminder

Wedding's journey from an Olympic snowboarder to a wanted criminal is a stark reminder of how quickly lives can change. Born in Thunder Bay, Ontario, he represented Canada in the 2002 Winter Olympics. After his athletic career, he briefly studied at Simon Fraser University before getting involved in illegal activities.

Allegations and Lavish Lifestyle

The FBI alleges that Wedding ordered dozens of murders across the globe. His organization was accused of being the largest supplier of cocaine to Canada, bringing in an estimated $1 billion a year. Despite his criminal activities, Wedding managed to evade arrest for many years, living a lavish lifestyle in Mexico.

Legal Proceedings

Attorney General Pam Bondi confirmed that Wedding was flown to the US from Mexico after his arrest. She credited President Trump's leadership and the efforts of various law enforcement agencies for the successful operation. Wedding's arrest is a significant milestone in the fight against drug trafficking and organized crime.