A former Olympic snowboarder who traded his Canadian heritage for cartel millions has been dealt a major blow as international law enforcement seized $40 million in luxury assets from his criminal empire.
Story Snapshot
- Mexican authorities seized $40 million in luxury motorcycles and assets belonging to fugitive Ryan Wedding
- Wedding abandoned his Olympic legacy to become a top cocaine trafficker for the deadly Sinaloa Cartel
- The 44-year-old former athlete now leads a murderous transnational drug operation while hiding in Mexico
- FBI offers $15 million reward as Wedding remains on their Ten Most Wanted list
International Task Force Strikes Criminal Empire
Mexican federal police executed coordinated raids across four properties in Mexico City and the state of Mexico, working alongside the FBI, LAPD, and Royal Canadian Mounted Police. The operation netted 62 high-end motorcycles, two luxury vehicles, artwork, drugs, and Wedding’s two Olympic medals from his 2002 Winter Olympics participation. This represents one of the largest single asset seizures connected to Wedding’s extensive criminal network, demonstrating how deeply his operations have penetrated into luxury markets.
From Olympic Glory to Cartel Leadership
Wedding’s transformation from representing Canada on the world’s biggest sporting stage to becoming a key figure in the Sinaloa Cartel represents a stunning fall from grace. The former snowboarder now commands a transnational cocaine trafficking operation that spans multiple countries and has been linked to numerous murders. His criminal enterprise has grown so sophisticated and dangerous that federal authorities consider him among America’s most wanted fugitives, placing him alongside terrorists and mass murderers on the FBI’s elite list.
Sinaloa Cartel Connection Threatens Border Security
Wedding’s partnership with the Sinaloa Cartel highlights the ongoing crisis at America’s southern border, where sophisticated criminal organizations continue to operate with impunity. The cartel’s ability to recruit foreign nationals like Wedding demonstrates how international crime syndicates exploit weak border enforcement to expand their operations. This case underscores the urgent need for enhanced border security measures and international cooperation to dismantle these dangerous networks that flood American communities with deadly drugs.
Justice Department Pursues Maximum Pressure Campaign
The $15 million bounty on Wedding’s head reflects the Justice Department’s commitment to dismantling high-level drug trafficking operations that threaten American families. Federal authorities have made Wedding’s capture a priority, recognizing that his arrest could provide crucial intelligence about Sinaloa Cartel operations and potentially save countless lives. The substantial reward amount demonstrates how seriously law enforcement treats the threat posed by foreign criminal organizations operating near America’s borders.
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