FBI Offers $15 Million Reward for Former Olympian Ryan Wedding, Accused Drug Kingpin

International Drug Trafficking Operation

• 🎯 The FBI is offering up to $15 million for information leading to the capture of Ryan Wedding, a former Olympic snowboarder accused of running a massive international drug trafficking network.
• 🇨🇦 Authorities believe Wedding, considered the number one cocaine drug trafficking kingpin in Canada, is hiding in Mexico and is protected by cartels.
• 💰 The reward has been increased from $10 million, with officials believing money will talk and lead to his apprehension.

Allegations and Criminal Activities

• ❄️ Ryan Wedding competed as a snowboarder in the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics.
• 📈 Since then, he has allegedly orchestrated the trafficking of hundreds of kilograms, or 60 tons, of cocaine annually from Colombia through Mexico into the U.S. and Canada.
• 🔪 Officials state Wedding orchestrated the murder of a witness in Colombia in January, hoping to evade U.S. charges and extradition.
• 🎭 He is known to use aliases such as Elfe Giant, Public Enemy, James King, and Jesse King, and reportedly changes his appearance.

Law Enforcement Efforts and Comparisons

• 🤝 The Justice Department, FBI, and Royal Canadian Mounted Police have announced a massive operation, including an international takedown targeting Wedding's associates.
• ⚖️ Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli compared Wedding to notorious figures like Pablo Escobar and El Chapo Guzman, highlighting his significant role in drug trafficking.
• 🌐 The U.S. government is working with Canadian counterparts and international officials to bring Wedding to justice.

Witness Protection and Legal Strategy

• ⚖️ Wedding's lawyer is also implicated, allegedly advising him to murder the witness in an attempt to end the case.
• 🚨 The Justice Department is actively pursuing Wedding and his network, emphasizing that drug kingpins cannot evade the law.
• 📞 Tips can be submitted anonymously to 1800 call FBI or tips.fbi.gov.