Who is Ryan James Wedding? All about former Canadian Olympic snowboarder

Ryan James Wedding, a former Canadian Olympic snowboarder, has been placed on the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list for allegedly leading a massive international drug trafficking operation.

Allegations Against Ryan James Wedding

The FBI accuses Wedding of smuggling thousands of pounds of cocaine from Colombia to the United States and Canada. According to an FBI statement, he allegedly directed the trafficking of hundreds of kilograms of cocaine through a supply chain that ran from Colombia, through Mexico and Southern California, and into Canada.

Authorities believe Wedding is currently hiding in Mexico, and the FBI has issued a $10 million reward for information leading to his capture. He is considered armed and dangerous.

From Olympian to Alleged Drug Kingpin

Ryan James Wedding gained international recognition as a snowboarder for Team Canada in the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, where he finished 24th in the parallel giant slalom event. However, after his athletic career, he is accused of transitioning into organized crime and drug trafficking.

Criminal Indictment and Arrests

In October 2024, a U.S. indictment charged Wedding, Canadian Andrew Clark (34), and 14 others with running the drug trafficking operation.

• Clark was arrested in Mexico on October 8, about 10 days before the indictment became public.
• Prosecutors allege that, between January 2024 and August 2024, the group used a Canada-based transportation network to smuggle bulk quantities of cocaine from Southern California into Canada.

FBI’s Appeal for Public Assistance

With Wedding still at large, the FBI is urging the public to come forward with any information regarding his whereabouts. The case highlights the growing concerns over cross-border drug trafficking and its links to criminal networks operating between North and South America.