Once upon a time, Ryan Wedding was a celebrated Olympic snowboarder, competing for Canada in the 2002 Winter Olympics. Fast forward to today, and he’s allegedly at the center of a drug trafficking empire so expansive, it’s hard to believe it’s the same guy. Attorney General Pam Bondi recently revealed that Wedding now faces serious accusations, like ordering the murder of a federal witness in Colombia, a move that puts a severe dent in his reputation as a role model.
Wedding’s descent into infamy has been nothing short of alarming. Once gliding gracefully down snow-covered mountains, he’s now accused of controlling one of the largest cocaine operations in Canada, shifting more than 130,000 pounds annually. The stakes are high, and his latest antics have gotten him on the FBI’s 10 Most Wanted list, which is a bit of a twist for an athlete who once thrilled crowds with flips and tricks. It appears that the thrill of the board has been replaced by the rush of the drug trade.
The unfolding story took a dark turn when a witness, who was supposed to testify against him, was shot dead shortly after Wedding allegedly placed a bounty on his head. Bondi stated that Wedding even went as far as to track the witness through a Canadian website, ultimately leading to a tragic and sinister conclusion. Now, with the U.S. State Department offering a jaw-dropping $15 million reward for information leading to his capture, it seems this once-glorious athlete’s run may finally be coming to an end. You have to wonder—was it the seductive pull of the drug game, or a reckless thrill-seeking adventure gone terribly wrong?
About the Author
Ava Hart
Ava Hart is a contributor to LocalBeat, covering local news and community stories.
