January 23, 2026, 4:06 p.mJanuary 23, 2026, 4:06 p.m
Wedding’s file on the FBI’s “Most Wanted Fugitives” list. (Archive image, October 2024)Image: keystone
Ryan Wedding delivers an exemplary career changer story: in 2002 he represented Canada as a snowboarder at the Olympic Games in Salt Lake City, and now he has been arrested as one of the world’s most wanted criminals. He is accused of running a multinational drug trafficking ring.
Like the American channel NBC News Citing two officials, Wedding’s organization is said to have transported 60 tons of cocaine annually from Mexico to Los Angeles. The director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Kash Patel, even compared the ex-snowboarder to the infamous Pablo Escobar.
In September 2024, the Canadian was charged with attempted murder in connection with his work as a drug lord. Wedding is said to have ordered the murder of a witness who was supposed to testify against him. The witness was gunned down in a restaurant before his testimony was due to take place.
In March 2025, Wedding was added to the FBI’s “Ten Most Wanted” list (Watson reported). A reward of $15 million was promised at the time for information leading to an arrest. Further details about his arrest will be given at a press conference on Friday evening (Swiss time).
(cpf)