Ryan Wedding, a former Olympic snowboarder wanted by the FBI on murder and money laundering charges in connection to alleged drug trafficking, was in U.S. custody on Jan. 23 after being captured in Mexico, federal officials said.
Wedding, a 44-year-old Canadian national, was taken into custody in Mexico City by law enforcement the evening of Jan. 22, FBI Director Kash Patel said during a news conference in Ontario, California.
Wedding is the leader of a transnational drug enterprise, Patel said, and is responsible for the ‘murder of innocent civilians.’
“He’s the modern-day El Chapo. He’s the modern-day Pablo Escobar,” Patel said.
Officials did not release details about the circumstances under which Wedding was captured, citing the continued investigation. Patel commended Mexican authorities for their assistance in the case.
Ryan Wedding to appear in court next week
Akil Davis, the assistant director in charge of the FBI’s Los Angeles field office, said Wedding will remain in custody and is expected to appear in court on Jan. 26.
It was not immediately known whether Wedding had obtained legal counsel.
‘Ryan Wedding tormented several people and families, and they will never be the same,’ Davis said, alleging Wedding’s organization is responsible for importing 60 metric tons of cocaine to the U.S. and Canada from Mexico each year.
Los Angeles Police Department Chief Jim McDonnell, who also spoke at the press conference, said Wedding’s alleged drug trafficking operation used Los Angeles as a base of distribution.
Wedding accused of cocaine distribution, collaboration with Mexican cartel
In November, federal authorities unsealed an indictment against Wedding, charging him with witness intimidation, murder and money laundering.
At the time, U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi called Wedding ‘the largest distributor of cocaine in Canada.’
He is also allegedly involved in selling other illegal drugs including fentanyl while collaborating with the Mexico-based Sinaloa Cartel, who ‘is closely protecting him,’ Bondi said.
Wedding is also accused of ordering the killing a federal witness, who was gunned down in Medellin, Colombia, in 2025 before he could testify against Wedding.
Davis said 36 people have been arrested in connection to the federal case.
A $15 million reward had been offered by the FBI for information leading to his capture and arrest. Patel would not disclose details regarding whether anyone would receive the reward money.
Patel said Wedding is the sixth fugitive from the FBI’s Top 10 Most Wanted list captured within a year, “a record historic achievement.”
When did Ryan Wedding compete in the Olympics?
Wedding represented Canada in the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, Utah.
He competed in the men’s parallel giant slalom snowboarding event, where he finished in 24th place.
Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at nalund@usatoday.com and follow her on X @nataliealund