### Former Olympian Accused of Orchestrating International Drug Trafficking Operations

Ryan Wedding, a former Olympic snowboarder from Canada, now residing in Mexico, stands accused of running a major transnational drug trafficking organization, according to the Department of Justice (DOJ). The 43-year-old Wedding is alleged to have led a "prolific and ruthless" crime group that shipped substantial amounts of cocaine into the United States and Canada.

U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada stated during a press briefing that the organization moved approximately 60 tons of cocaine annually over the past 13 years. Wedding and his associates allegedly utilized long-haul trucks to transport the cocaine from Colombia to stash houses in Los Angeles, before distributing it primarily to Canada and occasionally to the East Coast of the United States.

The organization, reportedly worth billions, is accused of laundering vast amounts of money through cryptocurrency. From April to September, law enforcement estimates that around a quarter of a billion dollars was laundered. The investigation has led to the seizure of more than one ton of cocaine, $255,400 in U.S. currency, over $3.2 million in cryptocurrency, three firearms, and dozens of rounds of ammunition.

Federal officials further allege that the group employed contract killers to eliminate perceived threats. Victims of these assassinations were shot execution-style in Canada, with their deaths intended to serve as warnings. Notably, two parents were murdered in front of their daughter in 2023 in a case of mistaken identity, and the daughter, though shot multiple times, survived.

A federal indictment charges 16 individuals with various offenses, including drug counts and murder related to a continuing criminal enterprise and drug crimes. Arrests have been made across California, Michigan, Florida, Canada, Colombia, and Mexico, with several defendants scheduled for court appearances soon.

Ryan Wedding remains a fugitive, with the FBI offering a reward of up to $50,000 for information leading to his arrest. Known by aliases such as "El Jefe," "Giant," and "Public Enemy," Wedding faces a mandatory minimum penalty of life in federal prison if convicted on charges including murder and attempted murder.