Full Breakdown
FBI Intensifies Manhunt for Ryan Wedding, Former Olympic Snowboarder Turned Drug Kingpin
12/9/2025, 7:45:31 PM
Overview of the Manhunt
Ryan Wedding, a 44-year-old former Canadian Olympic snowboarder, is currently one of the FBI's Ten Most Wanted Fugitives. The FBI has released new photographs of Wedding, including a selfie believed to have been taken in Mexico during the summer of 2025, showing him shirtless with a distinctive lion tattoo on his chest. The agency has increased the reward for information leading to his arrest to $15 million, the highest bounty on its list.
Allegations and Criminal Activities
Wedding is accused of leading a transnational drug trafficking operation, allegedly shipping hundreds of kilograms of cocaine from Colombia through Mexico to Southern California and Canada. The FBI's Los Angeles office has stated that he is also implicated in orchestrating multiple murders to further his drug empire. Notably, he is charged with the murder of a federal witness, Jonathan Acebedo Garcia, who was shot in a Medellin restaurant in January 2025 before he could testify against Wedding.
Background and Context
Wedding represented Canada in the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, where he placed 24th in the parallel giant slalom. Following his athletic career, he allegedly transitioned into a billion-dollar cocaine operation, reportedly operating under the protection of the Sinaloa Cartel. His criminal activities have spanned over a decade, leading to multiple indictments, including charges of running a continuing criminal enterprise and committing murder in connection with drug trafficking.
Official Statements & Responses
The FBI has characterized Wedding as a "modern-day" Pablo Escobar, emphasizing the scale and brutality of his alleged operations. U.S. Attorney for the Central District of Los Angeles, Bill Essayli, highlighted the severity of the charges against Wedding, particularly the recent allegations involving the murder of a witness. The FBI's Los Angeles office has reiterated its commitment to capturing Wedding and dismantling his criminal network.
Criticism & Opposition
Some critics have raised concerns about the FBI's methods in pursuing fugitives like Wedding, questioning the effectiveness of high-profile manhunts and the potential for collateral damage in operations against drug cartels. However, the urgency of the situation, given the violent nature of Wedding's alleged crimes, has led to broad support for the intensified efforts to apprehend him.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
While authorities believe Wedding is currently in Mexico, reports on his exact location and the level of protection he receives from the Sinaloa Cartel vary. Additionally, discrepancies exist regarding the number of murders attributed to him, with some sources suggesting a broader scope of violence than officially documented.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Additionally, it is alleged that Wedding was involved in orchestrating multiple murders in furtherance of these drug crimes,” — FBI Los Angeles Office
As the FBI continues its search for Ryan Wedding, the implications of his alleged activities extend beyond law enforcement, raising questions about the intersection of sports, crime, and international drug trafficking.
