U.S. authorities have unsealed sweeping new Ryan Wedding charges that accuse the former Canadian Olympian of ordering the murder of a key witness in his ongoing federal drug trafficking case. Prosecutors allege the killing was part of a broader effort to shield a transnational cocaine network tied to the Sinaloa Cartel. The fugitive athlete, 44, has long been described as the largest cocaine distributor in Canada, according to Attorney General Pam Bondi.
The Justice Department says Wedding remains on the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list and continues to evade capture. Officials allege that his criminal organization trafficked massive quantities of cocaine from Mexico into Los Angeles before distributing the drugs across Canada and major U.S. cities.
Prosecutors Outline the Expanded Ryan Wedding Charges
The newly released Ryan Wedding charges build on earlier federal indictments filed in Los Angeles, which already accused Wedding of running a continuing criminal enterprise, committing murder in connection with that enterprise and trafficking large volumes of narcotics. Prosecutors say Wedding and his alleged deputy, Canadian national Andrew Clark, coordinated the transport of hundreds of kilograms of cocaine from Mexico into California.
According to investigators, the shipments were housed at Los Angeles–area stash locations before being loaded onto long-haul commercial trucks headed for Canada and several U.S. markets. Authorities also say the pair orchestrated multiple killings in Canada to advance the interests of the organization.
Witness Murder at the Center of the New Ryan Wedding Charges
The latest Ryan Wedding charges accuse the fugitive trafficker of orchestrating the January killing of a witness in Colombia. U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli for the Central District of Los Angeles said the victim was shot five times in the head at a restaurant and died instantly.
Essayli told reporters Wedding believed eliminating the witness would derail the federal case against him, prevent extradition and protect the stability of his international drug network. The indictment alleges Wedding placed a bounty on the individual, relying on intermediaries to facilitate the killing.
Alleged Lawyer Misconduct Included in New Ryan Wedding Charges
In a significant development, the DOJ says that Wedding’s lawyer, Deepak Balwant Paradkar of Ontario, is among 19 defendants charged in the newly expanded case. Prosecutors allege Paradkar advised Wedding that murdering the witness could help eliminate charges related to his 2024 narcotics case. Paradkar was arrested in Canada and is set to be extradited to the United States, according to federal officials.
Authorities said they continue to search for the gunman who carried out the killing, while ten individuals named in the indictment were arrested Tuesday. Eleven defendants are currently in custody, and law enforcement agencies have also initiated immigration actions against several associates of the enterprise.
International Manhunt Intensifies After New Ryan Wedding Charges
The Ryan Wedding charges have triggered renewed urgency in an already expansive manhunt. Investigators believe Wedding has spent years hiding in Mexico and may be receiving protection from the Sinaloa Cartel. FBI Director Kash Patel likened Wedding to a “modern-day Pablo Escobar,” citing his extreme wealth, violent history, and deep cartel connections.
Assistant Director Akil Davis said Wedding poses a significant threat and warned that his resources and alliances make apprehension difficult. The State Department has raised the reward for information leading to his capture to $15 million, up from the previous $10 million.
Background and Criminal Scale Highlighted in Ryan Wedding Charges
Wedding gained notoriety long before the Ryan Wedding charges emerged, competing for Canada at the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, where he placed 24th in the parallel giant slalom. U.S. officials now allege that he spent more than a decade operating a billion-dollar drug network from Mexico.
According to the Treasury Department, Wedding used a sophisticated network of financial channels to launder proceeds from the cocaine trade. Federal agencies estimate his organization imported roughly six metric tons of cocaine annually into Los Angeles, primarily via commercial trucks crossing from Mexico.
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FBI, DOJ, and International Agencies Respond to the Ryan Wedding Charges
The Ryan Wedding charges reflect a massive, multi-agency effort by the Justice Department, FBI, Treasury Department, and partners in Canada, Mexico, and Colombia. Officials say the indictment signals a renewed push to dismantle transnational criminal groups by targeting leadership, financial structure,s and cross-border operations.
The DOJ emphasized that a combination of federal sanctions, criminal charges, and international cooperation aims to limit Wedding’s ability to operate while authorities continue efforts to locate and arrest him. Despite the arrests of several associates, prosecutors say Wedding remains extremely dangerous and well-protected.
