A former Olympic athlete turned drug kingpin has been charged with ordering the execution of a federal witness, highlighting the deadly consequences of America’s ongoing border security failures and drug trafficking crisis.
Story Highlights
- Former Olympian Ryan Wedding is charged with ordering the murder of a witness and running a massive cocaine operation.
- Wedding’s network imported 60 metric tons of cocaine annually through Mexico into Southern California.
- DOJ’s “Operation Giant Slalom” resulted in 35 indictments and seizure of 2,000 kilos of drugs.
- $15 million reward offered for Wedding’s capture as he remains at large in Mexico.
Olympic Dreams Turn to Criminal Nightmare
Ryan Wedding, 44, competed for Canada in the 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Olympics before his spectacular fall from grace. The Canadian national, now residing in Mexico, faces federal charges for orchestrating the murder of a federal witness in January 2025.
Wedding allegedly issued a “multimillion-dollar bounty” to locate and kill the witness in Colombia, demonstrating the ruthless lengths to which international criminal networks will go to silence those cooperating with American law enforcement.
#BREAKING 🚨 Olympian turned drug kingpin Ryan Wedding — currently on the FBI's top 10 most wanted list — has been accused of ordering the murder of a witness.
Details: https://t.co/MfDhwaGT7M pic.twitter.com/tI4q9F5wch
— TMZ (@TMZ) November 19, 2025
Massive Drug Pipeline Exploits Border Weaknesses
Attorney General Pamela Bondi described Wedding as leading one of the “most prolific and violent drug trafficking organizations in this world.” His network smuggled approximately 60 metric tons of cocaine annually from Colombia through Mexico into Southern California before distribution to Canada and other U.S. regions.
This operation exemplifies how porous border security enables criminal organizations to flood American communities with deadly narcotics, fueling addiction and violence across the nation.
Wedding’s criminal empire operated with impunity for years, exploiting weaknesses in international border enforcement.
The scale of this operation—moving hundreds of kilograms of cocaine routinely through semi-trucks from Mexico—underscores the urgent need for enhanced border security measures that the Trump administration has prioritized since taking office.
Justice Department Strikes Back
Acting United States Attorney Bill Essayli announced the unsealing of federal grand jury indictments charging Wedding with witness tampering, intimidation, murder, money laundering, and drug trafficking.
The charges stem from “Operation Giant Slalom,” a comprehensive international investigation that has yielded significant results. Ten additional arrests were made in the operation’s second phase, demonstrating the administration’s commitment to dismantling transnational criminal networks.
The government’s investigation has produced impressive seizures, including 2,000 kilograms of narcotics, numerous weapons, and $3.2 million in cryptocurrency.
These results showcase how proper law enforcement focus and international cooperation can effectively combat the drug trafficking organizations that have plagued American communities for decades. Wedding faces a maximum sentence of life in federal prison if convicted on all charges.
International Manhunt Intensifies
Wedding was added to the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted List in March, reflecting the serious threat he poses to public safety.
The State Department’s Narcotics Rewards Program offers up to $15 million for information leading to his arrest or conviction, one of the highest bounties available.
His ability to evade capture while operating from Mexico highlights ongoing challenges in international law enforcement cooperation, particularly regarding the extradition of high-value targets.
