Former Olympic snowboarder Ryan Wedding arrested in Mexico on drug and murder-conspiracy charges
Ryan Wedding, once an elite Canadian snowboarder, was arrested in Mexico and is being returned to the U.S. He faces drug trafficking and multiple murder conspiracy charges amid a long RCMP probe.
Copy link
By Torontoer Staff
Ryan James Wedding, a former Canadian Olympic snowboarder who had been on the FBI’s 10 most wanted list, was arrested in Mexico and is being transported to the United States, U.S. authorities said Friday. The arrest follows a years-long, international investigation into alleged drug trafficking and violent crimes tied to an organised smuggling network.
FBI director Kash Patel said the arrest resulted from close cooperation with Mexican authorities. The agency had offered a US$15-million reward for information leading to his capture and released a recent photograph believed to have been taken in Mexico.
Arrest and official statements
On social media, Director Patel said, "Ryan James Wedding was taken into custody in Mexico last night. He is being transported from Mexico to the U.S." He called the arrest the product of "tremendous cooperation and teamwork" with Mexican officials.
This is a huge day for a safer North America, and the world, and a message that those who break our laws and harm our citizens will be brought to justice.
Kash Patel, FBI director
Allegations and charges
U.S. prosecutors allege Wedding led a violent, international cocaine-smuggling ring and that he used aliases including "El Jefe," "Public Enemy" and "James Conrad Kin." He faces multiple charges under U.S. law, including drug trafficking and murder conspiracy counts tied to alleged orders to kill individuals considered liabilities to the organisation.
Court filings in California detail a probe that resulted in indictments for roughly 30 people accused of roles in the organisation. Many of those named have been arrested or are being sought by U.S. authorities.
Canadian investigations and Operation Giant Slalom
Canadian authorities have been aware of Wedding for years. The RCMP has intermittently investigated him since at least 2006 and issued an arrest warrant in 2015, though it had not filed more recent charges. Since July 2023, the RCMP and the FBI have formally collaborated on a joint inquiry called Operation Giant Slalom.
That cooperation began after the FBI requested assistance from the RCMP. The Mounties launched a parallel investigation later in 2023, and Canadian police have arrested at least a dozen people connected to the probe. Most of those detained in Canada are contesting extradition to the United States.
Alleged shelter and international reach
U.S. authorities alleged Wedding was sheltered in Mexico by the Sinaloa cartel, and investigators believe he continued to direct criminal activity from abroad. The FBI released a recent photo of him, saying it was likely taken over the summer in Mexico, and circulated reward posters through U.S. and international law enforcement channels.
- US$15-million reward offered by the FBI for information leading to his arrest
- Aliases linked to Wedding include "El Jefe," "Public Enemy" and "James Conrad Kin"
- Roughly 30 people indicted in California in connection with the organisation
- At least 12 accused arrested in Canada and fighting extradition
What happens next
Wedding is being transferred from Mexico to the United States for prosecution. U.S. authorities will determine formal charges and arraignment details once he is in custody. Canadian authorities may continue parallel legal work, including extradition requests or separate charges, depending on the outcomes of U.S. proceedings and ongoing investigations.
Officials have not released further details about the arrest location or the timing of his extradition. Legal proceedings in multiple countries and contested extradition cases mean the matter is likely to unfold over months, if not longer.
The case underscores the cross-border nature of large-scale organised crime and the role of international cooperation in high-profile fugitive investigations. Authorities have said they will provide additional information as prosecutions proceed.
Ryan WeddingFBIRCMPcrimeMexico
