Ryan James Wedding, a once-promising Olympic snowboarder, is now implicated as a key figure in global drug trafficking, particularly in cocaine distribution. Officials have described him as a violent criminal, operating a billion-dollar cocaine cartel and orchestrating multiple murders.
From Olympic Athlete to Notorious Criminal
Wedding began his journey in Thunder Bay, Canada, where he grew up in a wealthy family involved in the skiing industry. His grandparents owned the Mount Baldy ski resort, a place where he honed his snowboarding skills.
In 2002, Wedding represented Canada at the Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, Utah, but finished 24th in the Parallel Giant Slalom event. This disappointing outcome led him down a darker path into crime.
The Criminal Transformation
In 2008, following his Olympic aspirations, Wedding attempted to purchase cocaine in San Diego but was arrested during an undercover operation. Prosecutors later charged him with conspiracy to distribute cocaine, and in 2010, he received a 48-month prison sentence. Following time served, he was released in December 2011.
However, Wedding quickly re-established himself in the drug trade. He allegedly founded a violent drug enterprise, collaborating with Mexican drug cartels, and moved hundreds of kilograms of cocaine from Colombia to Mexico.
Cocaine Distribution and Violence
According to a recent indictment, Wedding’s organization is responsible for importing around 60 metric tons of cocaine annually into Los Angeles. Authorities classify him as the largest cocaine distributor in Canada.
Wedding is alleged to have implemented a climate of fear among rivals, including hiring assassins and orchestrating the murders of individuals he deemed threats. He reportedly placed a bounty on a federal witness’s head to prevent testimony against him, resulting in the witness’s murder last January in Medellín, Colombia.
Key Figures in Wedding’s Operation
Several individuals are believed to support Wedding’s illicit activities:
- Edgar Aaron Vazquez Alvarado: Known as “the General,” purportedly offers protection to Wedding in Mexico.
- Miryam Andrea Castillo Moreno: Wedding’s wife, accused of laundering money and facilitating acts of violence.
- Deepak Balwant Paradkar: A Canadian attorney believed to have aided Wedding with various illegal services, including bribery and murder.
Ongoing Investigation and Rewards
The FBI has placed Wedding on its Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list, announcing a reward of $15 million for information leading to his capture. Authorities believe he is currently hiding in Mexico, under cartel protection, continuing his reign of terror in the drug trade.
