From Olympic Glory to Global Manhunt: Inside the Shocking Ryan Wedding Raids and the Fall of a Snowboarding Star
New photo released of Ryan Wedding, former Olympic snowboarder wanted by FBI. Image Credit: FBI
Once celebrated for racing down snow-covered slopes at the 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Olympics, Ryan Wedding is now at the center of a sprawling international manhunt. Recent raids linked to Ryan Wedding have exposed the astonishing transformation of a Canadian Olympic athlete into an accused drug kingpin and orchestrator of contract killings, according to U.S. and Canadian authorities.
The raids, conducted across Mexico, Canada, Colombia, and the United States, are part of an expanding investigation known as Operation Giant Slalom, a case that law-enforcement officials say dismantles one of the largest cocaine trafficking networks in the world.
Who Is Ryan Wedding? From Olympic Athlete to Criminal Fugitive
Ryan Wedding, 44, represented Canada in parallel giant slalom snowboarding at the 2002 Winter Olympics, finishing 24th. Raised in a middle-class family in Ontario and fluent in both English and French, Wedding’s early life appeared far removed from organized crime.
But prosecutors say that after his athletic career stalled, Wedding entered the drug trade, first in Canada, then on a massive international scale. Authorities allege he later became known as “El Jefe,” running a billion-dollar cocaine operation from Mexico with ties to the Sinaloa cartel.
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What Triggered the Ryan Wedding Raids
The latest Ryan Wedding raids were triggered by the January 2025 assassination of a drug trafficker turned FBI informant in Medellín, Colombia. According to court documents, the victim was shot five times in the head while eating lunch at a restaurant.
Prosecutors say Wedding personally ordered the killing, placed a $5 million bounty on the informant, and later circulated photos of the body as proof, boasting that he had killed “the rat.”
This execution escalated the case dramatically, pushing Wedding onto the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list.
Mexico Raids Seize Olympic Medals and Dozens of Motorcycles
In December 2025, Mexican authorities announced multiple coordinated raids targeting properties linked to Wedding. Items seized included:
- Two Olympic medals
- 62 high-end motorcycles
- Luxury assets allegedly tied to drug proceeds
While Mexican officials did not name Wedding publicly, he is the only former Olympian matching the description among the FBI’s most wanted fugitives.
Operation Giant Slalom: A Global Law-Enforcement Crackdown
Following the Medellín killing, U.S. and Canadian agencies intensified Operation Giant Slalom, arresting 10 associates across three countries. Authorities say Wedding’s organization:
- Imported cocaine from Colombia through Mexico
- Distributed drugs across the United States and Canada
- Generated over $1 billion annually in illegal proceeds
Investigators describe the group as the largest cocaine distributor in Canadian history.
The Role of Insiders and Betrayals
Court documents suggest Wedding’s downfall may be accelerating due to cooperation from within his inner circle. His longtime right-hand man, Andrew Clark, also known as “The Dictator,” was extradited to the United States and is now believed to be a cooperating witness.
Prosecutors allege Clark assisted Wedding with trafficking operations and multiple murders before agreeing to work with U.S. authorities.
A Suspended Lawyer and Alleged Cover-Up
The case also implicates Toronto lawyer Deepak Paradkar, accused of conspiring to obstruct justice and aid the criminal enterprise. Prosecutors say Paradkar advised Wedding and Clark that killing the FBI informant could derail extradition proceedings.
Paradkar’s law license has been suspended, and he is contesting extradition to the United States.
Why the Ryan Wedding Case Matters
Experts say the Wedding case shatters myths about Canada’s role in global drug trafficking.
“Canada is not a peripheral player,” said a retired RCMP intelligence expert. “It’s a major market and operational hub.”
With a $15 million U.S. government reward now offered for information leading to Wedding’s arrest, officials believe his capture is only a matter of time.
FAQ
Who is Ryan Wedding?
Ryan Wedding is a former Canadian Olympic snowboarder accused of leading a global cocaine trafficking empire and ordering multiple murders.
Why are authorities conducting Ryan Wedding raids?
The raids are linked to an investigation into international drug trafficking and the killing of an FBI informant in Colombia.
Is Ryan Wedding on the FBI Most Wanted list?
Yes. He was added after authorities linked him to the Medellín execution of a federal witness.
What was seized during the Ryan Wedding raids?
Authorities seized luxury assets, including Olympic medals, motorcycles, and property believed to be funded by drug profits.
Where is Ryan Wedding believed to be hiding?
Investigators believe he is in Mexico, possibly under the protection of the Sinaloa cartel.
What is Operation Giant Slalom?
It is a joint U.S.–Canadian law-enforcement operation targeting Wedding’s alleged drug trafficking network.
What reward is being offered for Ryan Wedding’s arrest?
The U.S. government is offering up to $15 million for information leading to his arrest and conviction.
