Ex-Olympic Snowboarder Faces Murder Charges in Drug Case

In a shocking turn of events, US law enforcement has charged Ryan Wedding, a fugitive ex-Olympic snowboarder from Canada, with the murder of a witness poised to testify against him. The announcement was made by Attorney General Pam Bondi on Wednesday, revealing details of a newly unsealed indictment that accuses Wedding of tracking down and eliminating a key witness in Colombia.

According to the indictment, Wedding, who is also known by the aliases “El Jefe,” “Giant,” and “Public Enemy,” is alleged to have orchestrated the transportation of hundreds of kilograms of cocaine from Colombia, through Mexico and southern California, before reaching Canada. Bondi described the operation as “one of the most prolific and violent drug-trafficking organizations” globally. “We are coming for you. We will find you. And you will be accountable and held to justice for your crimes,” she stated firmly.

In connection with this case, authorities have also apprehended Deepak Paradkar, an attorney from Ontario. He is accused of advising Wedding to murder Jonathan Acebedo-Garcia, the FBI witness who was shot dead in a Medellín restaurant earlier this year. Bill Essayli, the first assistant US attorney for the central district of California, noted that Paradkar was among a dozen individuals arrested during an extensive “international takedown.” He revealed that Paradkar told Wedding, “If you kill this witness, the case will be dismissed.”

Additionally, Canadian police have arrested Atna Onha, a resident of Montreal, charging him with conspiracy to commit murder in connection with Acebedo-Garcia's killing.

Kash Patel, the FBI director, made a striking comparison, stating, “Make no mistake about it: Ryan Wedding is a modern-day iteration of Pablo Escobar. He’s a modern-day iteration of El Chapo Guzmán.” This statement underscores the severity of Wedding's alleged activities and the scale of his drug operation.

In light of these developments, the US State Department has raised the reward for information leading to Wedding’s capture and conviction from $10 million to an astonishing $15 million, reflecting the urgency of the situation.

Ryan Wedding, now 43 years old, grew up in Thunder Bay, Ontario, and represented Team Canada in the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympic Games, where he finished 24th in the parallel giant slalom event. However, his life took a dramatic turn following the Olympics.

In 2006, just four years after the Olympics, Wedding found himself named in a search warrant linked to a marijuana-growing operation in British Columbia, although he was never charged. His legal troubles escalated in 2010 when he was convicted of drug trafficking after attempting to purchase cocaine from an undercover US government agent. He received a four-year prison sentence for this offense.

At the time, media outlets referred to Wedding as a “2010 Olympic hopeful.” He attempted to contest the charges, claiming “outrageous conduct” by US authorities, alleging that they employed a “violent former KGB agent” as an undercover operative. Since then, Wedding has transformed into a formidable and ruthless figure in the global narcotics trade.

During the press conference, RCMP Commissioner Mike Duhame revealed that seven Canadians had been arrested as part of the investigation. He estimated that Wedding’s organization generates over $1 billion annually, underlining the significant impact of this criminal network.

On the same day as these charges were announced, the US Treasury Department imposed sanctions on Ryan Wedding and nine associates connected to his criminal enterprise, further indicating the serious nature of the allegations against him and the far-reaching ramifications of his actions.

The case against Ryan Wedding serves as a stark reminder of the intersection between sports and crime, illustrating how an athlete’s life can take a dark and dangerous turn. As authorities continue to dismantle his drug trafficking operations, the focus remains on ensuring justice for those affected by his alleged actions. The pursuit of Wedding and his associates highlights the ongoing battle against drug-related violence and crime in North America.