From Olympic Slopes to FBI’s Most Wanted: Ex-Snowboarder’s Alleged Drug Empire Unravels

Seven Canadians with ties to an alleged international drug lord have been arrested. The suspected kingpin is a former Canadian Olympic snowboarder. Ryan Wedding is now on the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted list.

Authorities made the arrests in a coordinated cross-border operation. The U.S. State Department just increased the reward for Wedding’s capture to $15 million. According to Reuters, he is believed to be hiding in Mexico under cartel protection.

Lawyer Among Those Arrested in “Operation Giant Slalom”

Those arrested include Wedding’s lawyer, Deepak Paradkar. U.S. officials allege Paradkar advised Wedding to kill a witness. That witness was murdered in Colombia in January 2025.

Also arrested was the founder of a website called “The Dirty News.” The U.S. Justice Department says he was paid to post the witness’s photo to facilitate the killing. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police led the arrests in Canada under “Operation Giant Slalom.”

FBI Director Kash Patel compared Wedding to Pablo Escobar. He called him a major threat. The FBI states Wedding’s network moved hundreds of millions in cocaine from Colombia.

A Stunning Fall From Athletic Grace

Ryan Wedding represented Canada at the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics. He competed in the parallel giant slalom event. His alleged turn to cartel leadership marks a shocking descent.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli detailed the murder-for-hire plot. The witness was shot five times in the head at a Medellin restaurant. This act triggered the wider investigation.

Three more people were arrested in connection to that murder. The FBI warns Wedding is extremely violent and wealthy. He faces U.S. charges for drug trafficking and murder.

The global manhunt for this ex-Olympian turned alleged drug lord continues. Authorities consider him a top threat to public safety in both the U.S. and Canada.

Thought you’d like to know-

Who is Ryan Wedding?

Ryan Wedding is a former Canadian Olympic snowboarder. He is now wanted by the FBI as an alleged international drug trafficker. He is on the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list.

What is the reward for his capture?

The U.S. State Department is offering $15 million for information. This was recently increased from $10 million. The reward is for information leading to his arrest.

Why was his lawyer arrested?

Deepak Paradkar was arrested for allegedly advising Wedding to kill a witness. U.S. officials say he told Wedding it would get a case dismissed. The witness was subsequently murdered in Colombia.

What was “Operation Giant Slalom”?

It was the name of the coordinated law enforcement action in Canada. It led to the arrest of seven people connected to Wedding. The name references his Olympic snowboarding event.

Where is Wedding believed to be now?

The FBI believes Ryan Wedding is hiding in Mexico. They state he is being protected by the Sinaloa Cartel. Authorities consider him extremely dangerous.