FBI Arrests Former Olympian Ryan Wedding in Mexico
Ryan Wedding, 44, was arrested in Mexico and will be extradited to face U.S. drug and murder charges.
Overview
FBI Director Kash Patel said Ryan Wedding, 44, was apprehended in Mexico City on Thursday night and is being transported to the United States to face charges.
Prosecutors allege Wedding led a transnational drug trafficking network that moved about 60 metric tonnes of cocaine annually and charged him with murder, money laundering and witness tampering.
U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi praised the arrest on X, and Royal Canadian Mounted Police Commissioner Michael Duheme credited multinational cooperation, officials confirmed.
The FBI had offered a $15 million reward for Wedding and authorities seized $40 million in motorcycles and a 2002 Mercedes CLK-GTR valued at $13 million, officials said.
Wedding is expected to make his first U.S. court appearance on Monday in Los Angeles and will face extradition proceedings and continued investigations into alleged killings, prosecutors said.
Analysis
Center-leaning sources present the story with clear framing. They emphasize law-enforcement victories and criminality through loaded labels ('kingpin,' 'top fugitive') and sensational contrast with his Olympic past. Editorial choices prioritize DOJ/FBI voices, highlight Patel’s celebratory quote, and omit defense perspectives, producing a punitive, victory-focused narrative.
Sources (13)
FAQ
Ryan Wedding, born September 14, 1981, in Thunder Bay, Ontario, was a Canadian snowboarder who competed in the Parallel Giant Slalom at the 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Olympics, finishing 24th. He won his first snowboarding race at age 12, earned junior world medals, and became Canadian national champion in Giant Slalom in 2001.
Ryan Wedding is charged with leading a transnational drug trafficking organization that moved approximately 60 metric tons of cocaine annually, as well as murder, money laundering, and witness tampering.
Ryan Wedding was apprehended in Mexico City on Thursday night after surrendering to the U.S. Embassy following negotiations; he is being extradited to the U.S. and is expected to make his first court appearance in Los Angeles on Monday.
The FBI offered a $15 million reward for information leading to his arrest; authorities seized $40 million in motorcycles and a 2002 Mercedes CLK-GTR valued at $13 million. Additionally, a $2 million reward remains for information on other suspects.
FBI Director Kash Patel, U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi, and Royal Canadian Mounted Police Commissioner Michael Duheme praised the arrest, emphasizing multinational cooperation.
History
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