From Olympic Slopes To FBI's Most Wanted: 5 Shocking Facts About Fugitive Ryan Wedding

The dramatic fall from grace of Ryan James Wedding is one of the most astonishing stories in recent memory, transitioning from a celebrated Olympic athlete to one of the world’s most sought-after fugitives. As of December 12, 2025, the former Canadian Olympic snowboarder remains at large, facing grave accusations of leading a violent transnational narcotics trafficking operation that has put him on the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list. This article delves into his complete biography, the shocking allegations, and the intense, ongoing international manhunt.

The latest updates confirm that U.S. authorities have significantly intensified the search, releasing new photos and raising the reward to a staggering $15 million for information leading to his capture. This high-stakes pursuit highlights the severity of the charges against the man who once proudly represented Team Canada at the Winter Games.

The Complete Biography and Athletic Career of Ryan Wedding

Ryan James Wedding was born on September 14, 1981, and grew up in Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada. His early life was defined by a passion for winter sports, which he excelled at, eventually focusing his prodigious talent on snowboarding.

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• Full Name: Ryan James Wedding
• Date of Birth: September 14, 1981
• Nationality: Canadian
• Hometown: Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada
• Primary Career: Professional Snowboarder
• Olympic Participation: 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, Utah
• Event: Men's Parallel Giant Slalom (Finished 24th)
• Post-Olympic Life: Alleged Transnational Narcotics Trafficker and Drug Kingpin
• Current Status: Fugitive on the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted Fugitives List
• Known Location: Believed to be residing in Mexico

Wedding’s athletic peak came in 2002 when he competed for Canada at the Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, Utah. He participated in the men's parallel giant slalom event, finishing 24th in the world. This achievement marked him as an elite athlete, a source of national pride, and a figure expected to continue a career in professional sports or a related field.

The Shocking Transition to a Transnational Drug Kingpin

The path Ryan Wedding took after his Olympic career is a dark and baffling one. Instead of pursuing a career in the world of sports, authorities allege he turned to a life of organized crime, quickly rising to become a central figure in a violent international drug trafficking ring.

The Scope of the Criminal Enterprise

U.S. federal authorities allege that Wedding heads a complex transnational organized crime group responsible for routinely shipping hundreds of kilograms of cocaine. His operations are believed to span multiple countries, with Wedding himself a Canadian national now believed to be residing in Mexico.

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The scale of the operation is immense, focusing on the importation and distribution of narcotics into the United States and Canada. The U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has sanctioned Wedding, identifying him as a notorious narcotics trafficker.

Allegations of Violence and Murder

The accusations against Wedding go far beyond drug smuggling. He is also charged with ordering the murder of a witness in a federal narcotics case, highlighting the extreme level of violence associated with his criminal enterprise.

This charge is a critical factor in the severity of the manhunt and the massive reward offered. Authorities believe he is responsible for ordering the killings of multiple people, cementing his status as a dangerous fugitive.

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The FBI Manhunt: New Photos and a $15 Million Reward

Ryan Wedding's notoriety skyrocketed when he was officially placed on the FBI's Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list in March. This designation is reserved for individuals who pose the most significant threat to public safety and national security, making his capture an absolute priority for federal law enforcement agencies.

The Escalating Reward

In a clear sign of the FBI's determination to apprehend Wedding, the reward for information leading directly to his arrest has been dramatically increased. The U.S. government is now offering up to $15 million, with additional rewards available for information related to the murder charges he faces. This massive bounty is one of the highest ever offered, reflecting the danger he poses and the complexity of his evasion.

The Release of New Fugitive Photos

In a crucial effort to generate new leads, U.S. authorities have recently released updated photographs of Ryan Wedding. These images show changes in his appearance and are believed to have been taken as recently as last summer while he was in Mexico. The release of these new photos is a common tactic used by the FBI to refresh the public's awareness and overcome the challenge of a fugitive altering their appearance to evade capture.

The new images show a man who has changed significantly from the young Olympic snowboarder, now sporting a different look as he attempts to remain hidden within the complex environment of transnational crime. The FBI hopes that someone, either in Mexico or elsewhere, will recognize the alleged drug kingpin and provide the tip that finally leads to his apprehension.

The Legacy of a Fallen Olympian

The story of Ryan Wedding is a cautionary tale of a life that veered violently off course. He represents a shocking duality: the disciplined, world-class athlete who achieved the pinnacle of his sport, and the alleged ruthless criminal who now runs a violent cocaine trafficking operation from the shadows.

The entities involved in his pursuit—the FBI, the U.S. Department of State, and the Treasury Department—underscore the severe, international nature of the charges. Until he is caught, Ryan Wedding will remain a symbol of the dark side of ambition and the devastating consequences of choosing a path of crime over a life of legitimate achievement. The global manhunt continues, with federal agents tirelessly pursuing every lead to bring the former Olympic snowboarder to justice.