Ryan Wedding’s transformation is the kind of fall-from-grace narrative no one thought they’d live to see. Once a competitor for Canada in the 2002 Winter Olympics, this former snowboarder now stands accused of leading a sprawling, violent drug-trafficking empire and may have ordered the killing of a key witness who was poised to testify against him.
As U.S. officials unsealed a sweeping indictment in November 2025, they painted a picture of a criminal enterprise that allegedly spans continents. In addition, Wedding, 44, is charged with overseeing a transnational organization that traffics cocaine, laundered money, and, most shockingly, engages in witness intimidation and murder.
Ryan Wedding’s Move From Olympic Glory to Notorious Fugitive
Wedding’s past feels like a different lifetime. He represented Canada in snowboarding at the Salt Lake City Winter Games, competing in the parallel giant slalom. After the Olympics, he supposedly drifted into the criminal underworld.
Officials say Wedding’s drug ring shipped tons of cocaine from Colombia, through Mexico, into California, and onwards to Canada, often via long-haul trucks. The reach of his operations, if the allegations hold, is staggering.
In March 2025, he was added to the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted fugitives list, a rare fall from grace for someone who once trained on Olympic slopes. The U.S. State Department later raised the reward for information leading to his arrest to up to $15 million.
The Accusations: From Snowboarder to Kingpin
According to the U.S. Department of Justice, Ryan Wedding is not just another trafficker, he is accused of orchestrating a sophisticated criminal enterprise. The unsealed indictment charges him with conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, money laundering, and, for the chilling act of ordering a murder.
The victim? A federal witness who was due to testify against him. Moreover, prosecutors say Wedding placed a bounty on his head. He believed that eliminating him would derail his court case and possibly block extradition. The man was allegedly followed to a restaurant in Medellín, Colombia, and shot five times in the head—a brazen act, prosecutors said.
At a press event, First Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli said:
“Wedding placed the bounty on the victim’s head… in the erroneous belief that the victim’s death would result in the dismissal of criminal charges…”
Attorney General Pam Bondi described the killing as a “cruel, cold-blooded act that could not … go unanswered.” FBI Director Kash Patel added a stark warning: “His criminal activities and violent actions will not be tolerated… we will use our resources… to bring him to justice.”
Operation Giant Slalom: The Manhunt Behind the Name
The U.S. government has dubbed this sweeping crackdown “Operation Giant Slalom,” a dark play on Wedding’s Olympic history. As part of this operation, 10 defendants have been arrested in connection to the alleged criminal network.
Among those arrested:
Deepak Balwant Paradkar, a Canadian lawyer, advised Wedding and even urged the witness’s murder. Meanwhile, Gursewak Singh Bal reportedly ran a site that posted the witness’s photo. Additionally, Edwin Basora-Hernandez, a musician, gave the network crucial contact details to locate the target. Beyond that, several others in Canada, Colombia, and the U.S. supported money laundering and trafficking efforts. Ultimately, the DOJ emphasizes that this case goes far beyond Wedding and targets a sprawling criminal network.
Into the Shadows: Where Officials Think Ryan Wedding Is Now Hiding
According to U.S. authorities, Wedding is believed to be hiding out in Mexico, allegedly protected by the Sinaloa Cartel. The cartel link is central to prosecutors’ case. They say Wedding’s group transports tons of cocaine annually, running a pipeline from Colombia through Mexico and into Canada and the U.S.
FBI agents, the Department of State, Treasury, Canadian law enforcement, and Interpol are all involved in the search. Bondi emphasized that no one, not even a former Olympian, is exempt from accountability.
Why This Case Hits Differently
There’s a deep irony in Wedding’s story: once someone celebrated for athletic excellence, now accused of brutality. That contrast amplifies how dangerous and audacious these allegations are.
His Olympic past makes it especially symbolic. The discipline, drive, and ambition that may have pushed him down the slopes now seem to fuel a violent underworld empire. Authorities describe him as “one of the most prolific and violent” traffickers currently operating.
At its core, this case is not just about drugs. It’s about power. Reinvention–albeit negative. And what it means when someone who once carried a country’s hopes in sport may now be leading one of its deadliest criminal organizations.
Where We Go From Here
Ryan Wedding remains at large. For now, his exact whereabouts remain unknown, though U.S. officials suspect he may be in Mexico, possibly protected by cartel connections. Additionally, four other defendants remain free, according to the DOJ–as ICE and the FBI continue intensive efforts to track them down.
In the meantime, the manhunt continues with renewed urgency. Moreover, the $15 million reward stands as a stark indicator of how seriously officials take this case. Ultimately, this is not just a case about crime—it’s about dismantling a network of immense, dangerous reach.
Featured image: Getty Images
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