Ryan James Wedding moves from Snowboarding to the Sinaloa Cartel
Ryan James Wedding
FROM SPORTS TO COCAINE
SyndicatedNews | SNN.BZ Sports
It appears “Mr. Wedding” refers to Ryan James Wedding, a 44-year-old Canadian former Olympic snowboarder who competed for Canada in the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City (finishing 24th in men’s parallel giant slalom). He has recently been indicted by the U.S. Department of Justice on serious federal charges related to drug trafficking, murder, and witness tampering. Wedding is currently a fugitive, believed to be in Mexico under the protection of the Sinaloa Cartel, and is ranked on the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list. The U.S. government has raised the reward for information leading to his arrest to $15 million USD, up from $10 million earlier this year.
Background and Criminal Allegations
Wedding’s alleged descent into crime began after his Olympic career. He served time in a U.S. federal prison until 2011 for cocaine distribution. Upon release, authorities claim he built a vast transnational criminal enterprise, trafficking multi-ton quantities (up to 60 tons annually) of cocaine from Colombia through Mexico and Southern California into the U.S. and Canada. His operation reportedly generates billions in revenue and uses cryptocurrency for laundering proceeds, with aliases including “El Jefe” (The Boss), “Giant,” “Public Enemy,” “James Conrad King,” and “Jesse King.”
FBI Director Kash Patel has described Wedding as a “modern-day Pablo Escobar,” responsible for a “narco-trafficking and narco-terrorism program” involving extreme violence. The organization is linked to at least six murders worldwide, including hitmen trained in Mexico and retaliatory killings.
Indictment and Charges
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!
