by Washington, D.C. – The hunt intensifies for Ryan Wedding, the former Canadian Olympic snowboarder turned alleged international drug lord, whose capture reward has surged to $15 million. The Department of Justice (DOJ) exposed a sprawling criminal network tied to Wedding, revealing new indictments and a lethal hit ordered on a witness poised to testify against him.
From competing in the 2002 Winter Olympics to becoming one of the world’s most dangerous fugitives, Wedding remains elusive, believed to be hiding in Mexico under the protection of the powerful Sinaloa cartel. Authorities are cracking down on his alleged associates and enablers, aiming to dismantle his global drug trafficking empire.
The Rise of a Notorious Fugitive
Ryan Wedding, who competed for Canada in Olympic snowboarding, stands accused of orchestrating a multinational criminal enterprise responsible for moving nearly 60 tons of cocaine annually. His operations span continents, from Colombia and Mexico to Southern California and Canada.
The FBI has listed him among the Top Ten Most Wanted, with allegations including witness intimidation, murder, money laundering, and drug trafficking. U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi announced fresh charges after a chilling incident in Colombia where a witness was assassinated to obstruct Wedding’s extradition to the United States.
“We are coming for you. We will find you. And you will be accountable and held to justice for your crimes,” said Attorney General Pam Bondi, underscoring the DOJ’s dedication to this case.
Exposing the Enablers and Criminal Network
The indictment also names ten other defendants, including close family and associates:
- Miryam Andrea Castillo Moreno: Wedding’s wife, accused of laundering drug proceeds and facilitating violent acts.
- Edgar Aaron Vazquez Alvarado, alias “the General”: Provided protection and used law enforcement contacts to track targets.
- Deepak Balwant Paradkar: Wedding’s lawyer, alleged to have connected him with drug traffickers and aided bribery and murder plots.
The U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control has sanctioned Wedding and nine entities affiliated with him to sever their access to the U.S. financial system. Under Secretary of the Treasury John K. Hurley emphasized the effort to “make it difficult for criminals like this to profit from poisoning our communities.”
Coordinated Violence and Sophisticated Crimes
Wedding allegedly used a Canadian website called “the Dirty News” to publish the photograph of a key witness, leading to the blatant murder in Medellín, Colombia. The DOJ describes these acts as part of a highly coordinated, ruthless criminal strategy.
Bill Essayli, top federal prosecutor for the Central District of California, stated, “Wedding placed the bounty on the victim’s head, wrongly believing that killing the witness would dismiss charges and prevent his extradition.”
Ongoing Manhunt and International Efforts
The Department of Justice, FBI, and Treasury are collaborating closely to track down Ryan Wedding and disrupt his extensive criminal network. Their efforts reflect the global implications of drug trafficking and organized crime.
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For more detailed coverage, visit the original report here.
What Happens Next?
With Wedding still at large, law enforcement agencies worldwide remain vigilant. The increased reward and international indictments signify a relentless pursuit to bring him and his enablers to justice.
Key takeaways:
- The reward for Wedding’s capture stands at $15 million.
- He is linked to a transnational drug ring trafficking 60 tons of cocaine annually.
- Multiple high-profile accomplices including family and legal representatives are under indictment.
- The DOJ stresses no tolerance for witness intimidation and murder in this case.
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