The fall from grace is staggering. Ryan Wedding, once a celebrated Canadian Olympian, now stands accused of leading a brutal, international drug empire – a chilling transformation that culminated in his recent arrest after years on the run.
For years, Wedding evaded capture, ascending to the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted list with a staggering $15 million reward offered for information leading to his apprehension. He wasn’t just a fugitive; he was a phantom, a ghost whispered about in law enforcement circles as a ruthless and cunning operator.
Authorities allege Wedding, 44, orchestrated the trafficking of an astonishing 60 metric tons of cocaine annually into Los Angeles, utilizing a network of semi-trucks crossing the Mexican border. The scale of his operation was immense, drawing comparisons to notorious kingpins like Pablo Escobar and Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán.
Known by chilling aliases – “Public Enemy,” “El Jefe,” and “Giant” – Wedding allegedly commanded a violent organization responsible for countless deaths. His reach extended far beyond drug distribution, delving into the darkest corners of criminal activity.
The charges against him took a particularly sinister turn with accusations of witness intimidation, escalating to murder. A federal witness, poised to testify against Wedding, was fatally shot after authorities claim a bounty was placed on his head.
Investigators discovered Wedding allegedly used a Canadian website to locate not only the witness but also his wife, demonstrating a chilling level of calculated malice. This wasn’t simply about protecting his business; it was about silencing anyone who dared to challenge his power.
The September 2024 indictment detailed charges of attempted murder and a litany of offenses connected to the drug enterprise. A subsequent grand jury indictment unsealed in November directly linked Wedding to the witness’s death, solidifying the case against the former athlete.
Wedding is accused of not only overseeing the criminal enterprise but also personally profiting from its illicit gains, laundering drug money to fuel a lavish and dangerous lifestyle. His arrest marks a significant victory for law enforcement, but the full scope of his crimes is still being uncovered.
Details surrounding the arrest are expected to be revealed in a forthcoming news conference, promising a deeper look into the takedown of a man who traded Olympic glory for a life steeped in violence and drug trafficking.
