Olympic Snowboarder Ryan Wedding was arrested by Mexican officials after being investigated for participating in one of the largest drug trafficking organisations in the world. As an elite athlete who had previously competed for Canada in the Olympics, Ryan Wedding is no longer associated with the sport but is instead under arrest for something entirely different.
The FBI confirmed information in relation to the arrest and, along with the Mexican authorities, released a video of the operation by the authorities. This video, which gained tonnes of views in a short time, begins with a preparation scene of Mexican Police approaching a large house, followed by Ryan Walking/running from the house with an armed police squad while cuffed due to his arrest and not being able to escape.
Who Is Ryan Wedding?
Ryan Wedding was considered a rising star in the world of professional snowboarding as he represented Canada at the Winter Olympics of 2002 in Salt Lake City, competing in the parallel giant slalom event. Ryan was known for his technical skills and a fearless racing style that made him a potential up-and-coming star in the sport.
Unfortunately for Ryan, his success did not continue to grow commercially, as did some of his other peers in professional sports. After he became inactive from competitive snowboarding, he all but disappeared from the public eye.
It wasn’t until years later that he began appearing in the sealed court and intelligence files concerning a large drug trafficking organisation, with the potential involvement in operating cocaine through Mexico and the United States.
Arrest of Ryan Wedding in Mexico
Circumstances and Date of Arrest
U.S. and Mexican Authorities have announced the arrest of Ryan Wedding this week along the coastal areas of Mexico. Authorities have identified Wedding as having been living there under a false Name. The arrests were made through federal law enforcement agencies of Mexico after months of Surveillance and Incidents regarding the wedding through Information Sharing with the FBI and Drug Enforcement Administration.
The arrests were executed without incident; however were classified as high risk by law enforcement due to the probability of Wedding being involved with the Cartels as one of their primary Operatives.
Charges Filed Against Ryan Wedding
Drug Trafficking
According to the U.S. Court System, Wedding is alleged to be involved in the Leadership of a Drug Trafficking Organization that operated throughout the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The wedding was allegedly responsible for moving large amounts of Cocaine and Methamphetamines across the DEA’s Border and into Canada and the United States.
The Specific Allegations Against Wedding are:
- Conspiracy to Distribute Controlled Substances
- International Drug Trafficking
- Money Laundering
- Racketeering (RICO Violations)
- Engaging in a Criminal Enterprise
The authorities allege that Wedding was responsible for Coordinating Shipments, Managing Couriers and Laundering Millions of Dollars for Drug Profits.
How did an Olympic athlete end up in this situation?
An Olympic athlete going from representing his country to becoming an alleged member of a drug cartel raises serious concerns. Investigators believe that after Wedding retired from competitive snowboarding, he became involved in the distribution of illegal narcotics and that his experience travelling internationally, business contacts and knowledge of how goods are moved across borders made him an ideal candidate for trafficking organisations.
The authorities suggest that after rising through the ranks over several years within the organization he gained trust and credibility with the cartel and ultimately advanced to become a trusted manager within the organisation.
