Recent revelations have shown that U.S. authorities informed the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) about Ryan Wedding’s anticipated arrest days before he was captured in Mexico. This news was confirmed by RCMP Commissioner Mike Duheme, shedding light on the coordinated operation involving both U.S. and Mexican authorities.
Timeline of the Operation
The timeline of events indicates that investigators were aware of Wedding’s location before January 22, 2023. This was the date when Mexican officials stated that Wedding voluntarily surrendered. On January 23, he was flown to Ontario, California, on a U.S. Justice Department aircraft.
- Date of Surrender: January 22, 2023
- Date of Flight to California: January 23, 2023
Background on Ryan Wedding
Ryan Wedding, a former Olympic snowboarder from Thunder Bay, Ontario, has been wanted by authorities since 2015. He faced charges related to a cocaine-smuggling conspiracy in Montreal and was later indicted in the U.S. on murder and drug-trafficking counts. In March 2022, he was added to the FBI’s Most Wanted list.
Authorities allege that Wedding managed a sophisticated cocaine operation linked to Mexico’s infamous Sinaloa cartel. He currently faces 17 federal charges in California, to which he has pleaded not guilty.
Arrest Details and Aftermath
According to Commissioner Duheme, he received a heads-up approximately three days prior to Wedding’s flight to California. Upon arrival, Wedding was taken into custody alongside Alejandro Castillo, another fugitive captured during the operation.
FBI Director Kash Patel was in Mexico at the time for an official trip and coincidentally participated in Wedding’s arrest. The FBI’s Hostage Rescue Team was reportedly instrumental in coordinating the capture, which involved negotiations and various law enforcement agencies.
Political Reactions and Controversies
The arrest raised significant political issues in Mexico, where foreign operations are heavily scrutinized. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum initially claimed that Wedding surrendered voluntarily at the U.S. Embassy, a statement met with skepticism following the release of conflicting details.
After Wedding’s arraignment, his lawyer, Anthony Colombo, argued that his client did not surrender and was instead apprehended by authorities. This contradicts the official narrative provided by Mexican officials.
Overall, the international collaboration between the U.S. and Mexico highlights the ongoing battle against drug trafficking and organized crime in North America.
