Former Canadian Olympic athlete wanted in U.S. for murder, drug charges

By The Canadian Press on October 17, 2024.

Ryan Wedding is shown in this undated FBI handout photo. American authorities say former Canadian Olympic snowboarder Ryan James Wedding is wanted in the U.S. for multiple felony charges involving alleged drug trafficking and alleged murders in Ontario, in a case that includes 15 other defendants. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO - Federal Bureau of Investigation

American authorities say a former Canadian Olympic snowboarder is wanted in the U.S. on multiple charges stemming from his alleged involvement in a transnational drug trafficking ring and several murders in Ontario.

Ryan James Wedding is one of 16 defendants named in an indictment filed in California, which details an operation that allegedly moved large shipments of cocaine from Colombia through Mexico and California to Canada and other locations in the United States.

U.S. authorities say the 43-year-old Wedding, who was living in Mexico, is considered a fugitive.

Wedding was a snowboarder who competed for Canada at the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City.

The FBI is offering a US$50,000 reward for information leading to his arrest and extradition to the U.S.

The indictment also names several other people from Canada who allegedly took part in the criminal operation.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 17, 2024.