Who is Ryan Wedding? Fugitive with a $15-million bounty and a global manhunt on his trail

Ryan James Wedding, 42, is a Canadian ex-Olympian, a snowboarder who competed in the 2006 Winter Olympics in parallel giant slalom.

As a 24-year-old athlete, Wedding had the look (lean, fearless, photogenic), the talent, and the promise of a life on top of the world.

The same man who once chased hundredths of a second now chased hundreds of kilos.

By his early 30s he had vanished from the circuit and reappeared as something monstrous: a ghost in the machine of the transnational cocaine trade.

From being athlete, he allegedly transformed into a fugitive drug kingpin, leading a transnational criminal enterprise involved in narcotics trafficking and money laundering.

He turned into a drug kingpin so ruthless the FBI would just put $15 million dollars on his head.

Wedding has evaded arrest for over a decade by using aliases, cryptocurrency, and a network of enablers.

What we know so far:

Why is Ryan Wedding wanted by authorities?

Ryan Wedding is a 42-year-old Canadian former Olympic snowboarder who competed for Canada in the 2006 Winter Olympics in parallel giant slalom.

Once an athlete, he allegedly transformed into a fugitive drug kingpin, leading a transnational criminal enterprise involved in narcotics trafficking and money laundering. Wedding has evaded arrest for over a decade by using aliases, cryptocurrency, and a network of enablers.

What are Wedding's alleged criminal activities?

Wedding is accused of orchestrating a massive cocaine trafficking operation, importing bulk quantities from South America into the US and Canada via hidden compartments in shipments.

His group laundered proceeds through cryptocurrency wallets, luxury assets like high-end vehicles and real estate, and shell businesses across North America and Europe.

Most shockingly, he allegedly ordered the 2024 murder of a federal witness in California who was set to testify against him, using hitmen to locate and kill the victim in a violent racketeering act, according to the US Department of Justice.

What is Wedding's criminal record?

Wedding faces federal charges in the U. District Court for the Central District of California, including leading a continuing criminal enterprise, conspiracy to distribute ccocaine, international money laundering, and murder in aid of racketeering, as per NBC.

Added to the FBI's 10 Most Wanted Fugitives list in March 2025, he remains at large, possibly in Canada or Mexico, according to the FBI.

No convictions yet due to his fugitive status, but his wife and associates have been sanctioned for facilitating violence and laundering.

How big is Wedding's criminal network?

Wedding's operation spans continents, with a "vast" transatlantic web of associates, businesses, and enablers, according to the US Treasury Department.

The US Treasury sanctioned nine individuals — including his wife, Miryam Andrea Castillo Moreno — and nine entities tied to his laundering schemes.

Recent crackdowns yielded 10 arrests in the U.S. and seven in Canada, dismantling key nodes.

How much money is involved in his operations?

Authorities estimate Wedding's network generates over $1 billion annually in illegal drug proceeds, funnelled through sophisticated crypto and asset schemes to evade detection.

What cases have been filed against him?

A superseding indictment in Los Angeles federal court added murder charges to prior drug and laundering counts from 2024.

The US government offers up to $15 million for his capture, up from $10 million.

Recent developments

On November 19, 2025, FBI Director Kash Patel announced that Wedding tops the Ten Most Wanted list for narcotics trafficking.

In a press conference with Attorney General Pam Bondi, Patel revealed 10+ arrests this week, crippling Wedding's network through interagency efforts with the RCMP and DEA.

This advances justice for victims, with Patel vowing relentless pursuit to save lives.