Ryan James Wedding joined the Sinaloa Cartel: Arrested in Mexico City, Mexico
Ryan James Wedding
FROM SPORTS TO COCAINE
SyndicatedNews | SNN.BZ Sports
Mexico City, Mexico – January 24, 2026 – In a major development announced by U.S. authorities, Ryan James Wedding, a former Canadian Olympic snowboarder who had been on the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list, was taken into custody in Mexico City late Thursday night. The arrest marks the end of a years-long international manhunt for the 44-year-old, accused of leading a violent transnational drug trafficking organization linked to the Sinaloa Cartel.
Wedding, who competed for Canada in the giant slalom event at the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, allegedly transitioned from athletics to becoming a key figure in organized crime. U.S. officials claim he oversaw operations that smuggled hundreds of kilograms of cocaine from Colombia through Mexico and Southern California to destinations including Canada and various U.S. locations. Prosecutors further allege that Wedding orchestrated multiple murders—including the execution-style killing of a federal witness—to protect his criminal enterprise.
The arrest followed intensified cooperation between the FBI and Mexican authorities. FBI Director Kash Patel highlighted the operation during recent announcements, noting that Wedding had been evading capture for over a decade while reportedly residing in Mexico. The FBI’s Hostage Rescue Team participated in the apprehension, and Wedding was swiftly extradited to the United States, where he arrived on U.S. soil shortly after his detention.
A superseding indictment from late 2025 charged Wedding with a range of serious offenses, including drug trafficking, money laundering, witness tampering and intimidation, and murder in furtherance of racketeering activities. The Department of Justice previously announced related arrests of co-conspirators, and authorities had offered a substantial reward—reportedly up to $15 million—for information leading to his capture.
Wedding’s case drew widespread attention due to his unlikely background as an Olympian turned alleged drug kingpin. Authorities had seized assets linked to him in Mexico, including a collection of high-end motorcycles valued at millions of dollars, underscoring the scale of his purported operations.
The FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office continues to lead the investigation, with additional details expected as proceedings advance. Wedding faces potential life imprisonment or more severe penalties if convicted on the most serious counts.
This arrest represents a significant blow to transnational organized crime networks operating across North America, according to U.S. law enforcement officials. Further updates on extradition proceedings and court appearances are anticipated in the coming days.
Indictment and Charge
Wedding faces multiple indictments from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California. Here’s a breakdown:
| Indictment Date | Key Charges | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 (Initial) | – Continuing criminal enterprise – Drug trafficking (cocaine distribution) – Murder in aid of racketeering | Accused of overseeing a drug ring shipping hundreds of kilos of cocaine via semi-trailer trucks. Includes charges for the November 20, 2023, murders of two family members in Caledon, Ontario, Canada, in retaliation for a stolen shipment through Southern California. |
| November 19, 2025 (Unsealed Superseding Indictment) | – Witness tampering and intimidation (2 counts) – Murder (orchestrating federal witness killing) – Money laundering – Additional drug trafficking | Wedding allegedly placed a multimillion-dollar bounty on a federal witness set to testify against him in the 2024 narcotics case. The witness was murdered on January 31, 2025, in a Medellín, Colombia restaurant (shot dead). To facilitate the hit, Wedding’s group posted the victim’s photo on a fake news website called “The Dirty News.” This was intended to prevent his extradition from Mexico. |
These charges stem from a nine-count federal grand jury indictment naming Wedding as the lead defendant, alongside 18 co-conspirators (including Canadians, Mexicans, and a reggaeton musician). The enterprise allegedly involved “illegal services” like bribing officials and using hitmen.
Recent Developments and Arrests
- November 18-19, 2025: The U.S. Treasury Department imposed sanctions on Wedding and his network for using complex financial schemes to launder money. Concurrently, a press conference by Attorney General Pam Bondi, FBI Director Patel, and others announced the unsealed indictment.
- Arrests: 10 defendants were arrested on November 19 (11 total in custody), including:
- Deepak Balwant Paradkar, 62, a Canadian lawyer accused of advising Wedding to murder the witness to derail the case, providing unauthorized court documents, and receiving luxury watches as payment. Paradkar was arrested in Canada and faces extradition.
- Edgar Aaron Vazquez Alvarado (“The General”), a former Mexican law enforcement officer providing protection and intelligence.
- Other associates: Trucking company operators (e.g., Hardeep Ratte and Gurpreet Singh), hitmen, and enablers tied to the Sinaloa Cartel.
- Seizures: Over the investigation, authorities have seized 2,000 kg of drugs, numerous weapons, and $3.2 million in cryptocurrency. Raids targeted safe houses in Los Angeles and a Brampton, Ontario trucking firm.
Ongoing Manhunt
Wedding evaded capture with help from accomplices tipping him off about raids—he’s reportedly moved locations globally, including Mexico and possibly other countries. U.S. and Canadian officials (FBI, RCMP, Ontario Provincial Police) emphasize international cooperation, stating: “Whether you are a street-level drug dealer or an international drug kingpin, we are coming for you.”
For the latest updates, check official sources like the FBI’s Most Wanted page or DOJ announcements. If this isn’t the “Mr. Wedding” you meant, provide more details for clarification!
