Ryan Wedding: The Ex-Olympian Turned Alleged Drug Kingpin Arrested

Tue Feb 03 2026 19:01:58 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Years after disappearing, Ryan Wedding, a former Canadian snowboarder, is arrested in Mexico amid serious drug trafficking and murder charges.

Ryan Wedding, a former Canadian Olympic snowboarder, has been arrested in Mexico after being on the run for years. Allegedly a major drug trafficker, Wedding faced charges related to a transnational drug network responsible for the importation of vast quantities of cocaine. With connections to organized crime in Canada and Mexico, he was implicated in serious felonies, including murder and witness intimidation. His capture follows a global manhunt led by the FBI and Canadian authorities.

Former Canadian Olympic snowboarder and alleged drug kingpin Ryan Wedding has been arrested in Mexico and will be extradited to the US after years on the run, according to FBI Director Kash Patel.

Wedding, who had been on the FBI's Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list, is accused of running a transnational drug trafficking operation that moved tonnes of cocaine across international borders.

At 44, he is also wanted on murder charges. US officials believe Wedding had been living in Mexico under the protection of the Sinaloa drug cartel.

Mike Duheme, head of Canada's federal police force, commended the law enforcement operation, stating, No single agency or nation can combat transnational organised crime alone. He added, We can finally say that our communities, our countries, are much safer with the arrest of Ryan Wedding. Wedding is expected to make his first court appearance on Monday.

Officials allege he was running a drug operation responsible for importing around 60 metric tonnes of cocaine annually, making approximately $1 billion a year.

Prior to his arrest, Wedding was accused of killing a federal witness in a case against him, and he allegedly ordered multiple murders. He is now facing serious charges, including witness tampering, murder, money laundering, and drug trafficking.

The FBI had previously issued a $15 million reward for information leading to Wedding's capture, which raised questions as to whether anyone would claim it.

Determining the circumstances of his capture remains unresolved, although Mexico's top security official mentioned Wedding's arrest in Mexico City on Thursday night.

Patel has likened Wedding to 'a modern-day Pablo Escobar', and said, When you go after a guy like Ryan Wedding, it takes a united front. Wedding, whose aliases include 'El Jefe' and 'Giant', reportedly underwent plastic surgery to alter his appearance while on the run.

Since his release from US federal prison in 2011 for cocaine distribution, he has allegedly amassed considerable wealth and established a criminal enterprise. Prior to his arrest, in December, Mexican authorities identified Wedding's luxurious lifestyle by seizing racing motorcycles and other valuables, including drugs and two Olympic gold medals.

Amid the developments, authorities in Mexico also announced the recent capture of another individual on the FBI's most wanted list, Alejandro Castillo, who will be extradited to the US for trial concerning the murder of his ex-girlfriend.