A a former Olympic snowboarder who officials say runs one of the world's most violent drug trafficking organizations.faces new charges related to the murder of a federal witness in the case against him.
Officials said Ryan James Wedding “placed a bounty” on the witness's head “in the mistaken belief that the victim's death would lead to the dismissal of criminal charges against him and his international drug trafficking network.” He allegedly used a Canadian website to post photos of the witness and his wife in an effort to find him, officials said at a news conference Wednesday.
The witness was fatally shot at the restaurant before he could testify against Vedad. The indictment unsealed Wednesday charges Wedding with murder, witness tampering and intimidation, money laundering and drug trafficking.
The new indictment also includes several other people, including a Canadian lawyer who officials say was involved in the killing.
The US State Department has increased the reward from $10 million to $15 million for information leading to the arrest and/or conviction of Wedding, who is on the FBI's Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list.
“You can’t be a drug lord and evade the law,” FBI Director Cash Patel said at a news conference. “Make no mistake, Ryan Wedding is the modern version of Pablo Escobar, the modern version of El Chapo Guzman… He will not evade justice.”
Akil Davis, deputy director in charge of the FBI's Los Angeles field office, said officials believe he is being protected by a cartel and other organizations in Mexico.
“Please understand that he can change his hair color, his appearance and do anything to avoid arrest,” he said.
Attorney General Pam Bondi said Wedding's organization was responsible for importing about 60 tons of cocaine a year into Los Angeles by semi-truckload from Mexico.
“He controls one of the most prolific and violent drug trafficking organizations in the world,” she said. “He is currently the largest distributor of cocaine in Canada.”
During the investigation, more than 35 people were charged, a large number of weapons were confiscated, approximately $3.2 million in cryptocurrency was recovered and more than $13 million in physical assets were confiscated, Bondi said.
According to FBIVedda's organization often resorted to violence, including organizing the murders of several people.
Wedding, who represented Canada at the Salt Lake City Winter Olympics in 2002, was charged again in September 2024 with attempted murder and other charges.
