Olympic Snowboarder Turned Fugitive Arrested After Global Manhunt
One of the most unlikely names to appear on the FBI’s most wanted list is now back in custody and the story behind it reads like a warning about how far a public life can fall.
Ryan Wedding, once known for representing Canada on the Olympic stage as a snowboarder, has been arrested after years on the run. Authorities confirm he was taken into custody in Mexico and is now being transferred to the United States, ending a long international manhunt that stretched across borders and continents.
According to investigators, this case is not about a single crime or a sudden mistake. Wedding is accused of leading a violent, international cocaine trafficking network, one that allegedly operated for years and relied on fear, money and organized crime connections to survive. Prosecutors say the operation was not only about moving drugs, but about silencing anyone seen as a risk. Wedding now faces multiple conspiracy-to-murder charges tied to killings allegedly ordered in Canada and beyond.
Also Read:- Aston Villa Push for Tammy Abraham as Striker Search Heats Up
- Andy Robertson Transfer Twist: Spurs Move for Liverpool Legend
At the height of the search, U.S. authorities placed him on the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted list, offering a reward that climbed into the millions. His alleged aliases, including “El Jefe” and “Public Enemy,” painted a picture far removed from the image of a professional athlete. Investigators believe he was being protected in Mexico by members of the Sinaloa cartel, one of the world’s most powerful criminal organizations.
This arrest did not happen overnight. Canadian and U.S. authorities have been tracking Wedding for nearly two decades. The RCMP began investigating him as early as 2006 and a Canadian arrest warrant was issued in 2015. In 2023, the case expanded into a major cross-border effort known as Operation Giant Slalom, bringing together the FBI and the RCMP to dismantle what prosecutors describe as a sprawling criminal network.
That operation has already led to dozens of arrests and indictments. Several Canadians linked to the case have been detained and are now fighting extradition to the United States. Officials say the arrest of Wedding himself is a critical piece, but not the end of the story.
Why does this matter beyond one headline arrest? Because it shows how international crime operates, how long justice can take and how cooperation between countries can eventually close in on even the most elusive fugitives. It also sends a clear message that a public past or a famous name does not place anyone beyond the reach of the law.
As this case moves through the courts, more details are expected to emerge about the scope of the network and the crimes tied to it. Stay with us for continuing coverage and verified updates as this high-profile case unfolds.
Read More:
0 Comments