Lead
Former Olympic snowboarder Ryan James Wedding has been indicted on new charges tied to the slaying of a federal witness, officials said after an indictment was unsealed Wednesday. Authorities say Wedding placed a bounty on the witness and used an online Canadian forum to post identifying images of the witness and his wife before the man was fatally shot at a restaurant prior to testifying. The newly unsealed indictment accuses Wedding of murder, witness tampering and intimidation, money laundering and drug trafficking. The U.S. State Department increased its reward offer from $10 million to $15 million for information leading to his arrest and conviction.
Key Takeaways
- Ryan James Wedding, a former Canadian Olympic snowboarder (Salt Lake City 2002), is charged in an indictment unsealed Wednesday with murder, witness tampering, money laundering and international drug trafficking.
- Officials allege Wedding “placed a bounty” on a federal witness and used a Canadian website to post photos of the witness and his wife before the witness was fatally shot at a restaurant.
- The U.S. State Department raised its reward for information to $15 million; Wedding is listed on the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted Fugitive List.
- Federal authorities say Wedding’s organization imports about 60 metric tons of cocaine per year into Los Angeles and is the largest distributor of cocaine in Canada, according to Attorney General Pam Bondi.
- Investigators report more than 35 people have been indicted in the probe, about $3.2 million in cryptocurrency recovered, and over $13 million in physical assets seized.
- Law enforcement alleges the organization frequently used violence, including orchestrated killings of multiple individuals, and that Wedding may be shielded by cartel associates in Mexico.
Background
Ryan James Wedding first drew public notice as an athlete who represented Canada in snowboarding at the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City. Over time, U.S. and Canadian investigators say he moved from sports into transnational criminal activity, building what prosecutors now describe as a prolific trafficking network. Authorities allege the organization moved large quantities of cocaine into Southern California using commercial vehicles and maintained a violent enforcement apparatus to protect shipments and operations.
Federal prosecutors have pursued the case for several years. In a September 2024 superseding indictment, officials charged Wedding with attempted murder and other counts before the latest unsealed indictment added murder and witness-related charges tied to the recent killing of a cooperating witness. Canadian and U.S. law enforcement agencies have coordinated on investigations that span borders, asset freezes and arrests, reflecting the transnational nature of the alleged enterprise.
Main Event
In the indictment unsealed Wednesday, prosecutors say Wedding directed others to place a bounty on a federal witness in the case, mistakenly believing that killing the witness would lead to the dismissal of charges against him and his organization. Investigators say a Canadian website was used to post photos of the witness and his spouse to aid in locating them; the witness was then shot dead at a restaurant before giving testimony.
Officials named several additional defendants in the new charging document, including a Canadian lawyer whom they allege assisted in aspects of the plot. Law enforcement displayed an FBI surveillance photo of Wedding and detailed seizures from the probe, such as weapons, cryptocurrency and physical assets related to the organization’s operations.
The FBI placed Wedding on its Ten Most Wanted list and the State Department boosted the reward to $15 million. At a press conference, bureau leaders warned that Wedding may be changing his appearance and could be shielded by cartel elements in Mexico, complicating capture efforts and increasing the risk of international flight.
Analysis & Implications
If proven, the allegations portray a well-funded, transnational trafficking organization that combines large-scale narcotics distribution with targeted violence to deter cooperation with authorities. Import estimates cited by prosecutors — about 60 metric tons of cocaine a year into Los Angeles — suggest a logistics operation of unusual scale that would have major impacts on supply chains, money flows and community harm in destination areas.
The alleged use of online platforms to identify and locate a cooperating witness highlights evolving witness-safety challenges for investigators and courts. Posting images and personal details across jurisdictions can accelerate threats and complicate protective measures, forcing law enforcement to reassess protocols for safeguarding potential witnesses and their families.
Prosecuting a transnational figure presents practical hurdles: securing admissible evidence across borders, coordinating with Canadian authorities on alleged domestic collaborators, and pursuing extradition if the suspect remains abroad. Asset seizures and indictments of more than 35 people signal an attempt to dismantle the network’s operational and financial structure, but long-term disruption depends on follow-up arrests and successful prosecutions.
Comparison & Data
| Measure | Reported Amount |
|---|---|
| Estimated annual cocaine imports into Los Angeles | 60 metric tons |
| Individuals indicted in investigation | More than 35 |
| Cryptocurrency recovered | Approximately $3.2 million |
| Physical assets seized | Over $13 million |
The table above summarizes figures cited by prosecutors and law enforcement at the press conference. These numbers — if sustained through court filings and forfeiture actions — indicate substantial financial and logistical resources behind the alleged organization. They also underline why cross-border cooperation and asset-tracing efforts have been central to the multiagency response.
Reactions & Quotes
Officials framed the case as an example of high-level transnational criminality and emphasized the government’s commitment to capture and prosecute. Observers noted the case’s potential diplomatic and legal complexities given alleged activity in multiple countries.
“You do not get to be a drug kingpin and evade the law… Ryan Wedding is a modern-day iteration of Pablo Escobar; he will not evade justice.”
Kash Patel, FBI Director
“He controls one of the most prolific and violent drug-trafficking organizations in this world… He is currently the largest distributor of cocaine in Canada.”
Attorney General Pam Bondi
“Please understand that he might change his hair color, his appearance, and do anything to avoid capture.”
Akil Davis, Asst. Director, FBI Los Angeles
Unconfirmed
- Specific operational roles and decision-making responsibilities of each newly named co-defendant remain under review and are not yet fully verified in court filings.
- The extent and identity of cartel protection in Mexico cited by officials have not been publicly detailed and remain subject to ongoing investigation.
- Precise routes, intermediaries and distribution mechanisms for the alleged 60 metric tons figure are based on law enforcement assessments and may be refined as evidence is presented in court.
Bottom Line
The unsealed indictment frames Ryan Wedding as the alleged leader of a large, violent trafficking organization and ties him to the murder of a cooperating federal witness. The case elevates long-standing concerns about transnational drug networks that use both commercial logistics and targeted violence to protect operations and avoid prosecution.
With major asset seizures, dozens of related indictments and a $15 million reward, authorities are signaling substantial resources devoted to capture and prosecution. Still, successful long-term disruption will depend on extraditions, prosecutions across jurisdictions and sustained cooperation between U.S. and Canadian law enforcement.
Sources
- NBC News — news report summarizing indictment and law enforcement statements (media).
- FBI Ten Most Wanted: Ryan James Wedding — official bureau wanted listing and case details (official).