US authorities have launched an international manhunt for a former Canadian Olympic snowboarder turned drug kingpin, charging him with the brutal murder of a witness who was prepared to testify against him.
From Olympic Athlete to International Fugitive
Ryan James Wedding, who represented Canada in the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics, now faces serious allegations including orchestrating the murder of Jonathan Acebedo-Garcia, a Canadian citizen shot dead in a Medellín restaurant in January. The victim was reportedly preparing to provide evidence against Wedding's drug trafficking operations.
During a press conference at the Department of Justice in Washington DC, attorney general Pam Bondi stood beside a wanted poster featuring Wedding's photograph, delivering a stark warning: "We are coming for you. We will find you. And you will be accountable and held to justice for your crimes."
A Ruthless Criminal Empire
According to newly unsealed court documents, Wedding - also known by aliases including "El Jefe", "Giant" and "Public Enemy" - allegedly masterminded one of the world's most prolific drug trafficking networks. The organisation is accused of moving hundreds of kilograms of cocaine from Colombia through Mexico and southern California before reaching Canadian markets.
FBI director Kash Patel didn't mince words when describing the fugitive's operations, stating: "Make no mistake about it: Ryan Wedding is a modern-day iteration of Pablo Escobar. He's a modern day iteration of El Chapo Guzmán."
RCMP commissioner Mike Duhame revealed that Wedding's criminal enterprise likely generates staggering annual revenues exceeding $1 billion.
International Arrests and Legal Complicity
In a coordinated international operation, authorities have arrested several individuals connected to Wedding's network, including Ontario lawyer Deepak Paradkar. Prosecutors allege Paradkar advised Wedding to eliminate the FBI witness, telling him: "If you kill this witness, the case will be dismissed."
Bill Essayli, first assistant US attorney at the central district of California, confirmed that Paradkar was among a dozen suspects recently detained in what he described as an "international takedown".
Canadian police have also arrested Montreal resident Atna Onha, charging him with murder conspiracy in connection with Acebedo-Garcia's killing. Authorities confirmed that seven Canadians in total have been apprehended during the investigation.
Rising Stakes and International Sanctions
The US State Department has significantly increased the reward for information leading to Wedding's capture and conviction, raising the bounty from $10 million to $15 million.
Simultaneously, the US treasury department announced sanctions against Wedding and nine other individuals linked to his criminal organisation, aiming to disrupt their financial operations.
The 43-year-old fugitive's dramatic fall from grace began after his Olympic appearance, where he placed 24th in the parallel giant slalom event. His first brush with the law occurred in 2010 when he received a four-year prison sentence for attempting to purchase cocaine from a US government agent.
Wedding, who grew up in Thunder Bay, Ontario, had previously attempted to dismiss drug charges by alleging "outrageous conduct" by US authorities, claiming they used a "violent former KGB agent" as an undercover operative.
Authorities continue their global search for the former athlete, urging anyone with information to come forward as the international dragnet tightens around one of the world's most wanted alleged drug traffickers.
