Ryan James Wedding, Former Olympian Arrested For Huge Drug Crimes

The name Ryan James Wedding once stirred up a sense of national pride back in 2002, but now he’s known for serious true crime allegations. An Olympic snowboarder, he proudly represented Canada in the Games at Salt Lake City. However, since then, his life story went so dark that it seems almost unbelievable. Read on for the latest developments.

A Drug Kingpin?

Authorities classified Wedding as a merciless drug kingpin rather than an athlete. As per ABC 7, “the alleged drug kingpin and former Canadian Olympic snowboarder has been arrested after spending nearly a year on the FBI’s ‘Most Wanted’ list.”

Allegedly, Ryan James Wedding ran a massive drug trafficking syndicate with close links to the Sinaloa Cartel. Notably, we’re not talking about small-time true crime deals, either. The FBI claimed that his network was responsible for importing tons of cocaine from Colombia to the US and Canada on an annual basis.

A Billion Dollar Business

The operation seems to have been a billion-dollar business. Substantial charges include conspiracy, murder, and witness intimidation. Apart from trafficking drugs, prosecutors claim his involvement in the killing of rival gang members. Allegedly, he was behind the 2023 murder of a Canadian couple and a Colombian federal witness’s execution.

By March 2025, the FBI decided evidence justified a warrant for his arrest and included him on their “Ten Most Wanted” list. Interestingly, after “negotiations,” he voluntarily approached the US Embassy in Mexico City and gave himself up. That happened on January 22 this year.

Compared To Notable Drug Traffickers

Naturally, it’s a triumph for the FBI, Mexican authorities, and the RCMP, who collaborated on this “modern-day El Chapo.” Kash Patel also described him as “the modern-day Pablo Escobar.” For true crime watchers, the transition from athlete to drug kingpin seems almost startling.

During the operation, 36 people ended up arrested and more than 2,300 kilograms of cocaine were retrieved. Plus, authorities foreclosed on $55 million in assets and impounded dozens of luxury cars.

Upcoming Court Appearance

Currently, Ryan James Wedding awaits a US court appearance scheduled for January 26, 2026. If found guilty, he may be sentenced to life imprisonment. And he’s not alone in facing the music. Reportedly, his wife, Miryam Andrea Castillo Moreno, faces accusations of laundering drug money.

When true crime watchers saw the video shared on YouTube, many people reacted. One of them opined, “Comparing this guy to Pablo Escobar is an absolute slap in the face to the people of Colombia.”

Viewer Reactions

Here are a few more reactions from the discussion:

• He was making the cartel too hot, so they gave him up to relieve the pressure the US was putting on them.
• They acted like they caught him; he turned himself in.
• Could have done so many things in life and be living it up but nooooo.
• Worst of the worst. Hope he gets what is coming to him.

What are your thoughts? Let us know in the comments below, and remember to come back here often for all your true crime news and updates.