FBI Flies Ex‑Olympian Ryan Wedding to California to Face U.S. Cocaine‑Trafficking and Witness‑Killing Charges After Mexico Surrender
Former Canadian Olympic snowboarder Ryan Wedding — accused by U.S. authorities of running a cocaine‑trafficking ring and orchestrating the killing of a witness in Medellín — surrendered to U.S. officials at the American embassy in Mexico, was taken into custody Thursday and flown to California, where FBI agents escorted him in handcuffs off a plane at Ontario International Airport. The FBI, which added him to its Ten Most Wanted list with a reported $15 million reward, says Wedding is an “extremely violent” suspect believed responsible for multiple murders abroad and that he allegedly used a Canadian website to help identify the Medellín target.
📌 Key Facts
- Ryan Wedding, a former Canadian Olympic snowboarder, has been described in reporting as an alleged drug kingpin.
- Mexican Security Secretary Omar García Harfuch said Wedding voluntarily turned himself in at the U.S. embassy in Mexico after a period of negotiations and mounting pressure; he was apprehended Thursday night in Mexico and transported to the United States.
- Wedding arrived in U.S. custody at Ontario International Airport in San Bernardino County, California, where FBI agents escorted him off a plane in handcuffs.
- The FBI added Wedding to its Ten Most Wanted list in March 2025 and is offering a $15 million reward; the bureau has characterized him as an "extremely violent criminal" believed responsible for numerous murders abroad.
- The Justice Department has previously charged Wedding with orchestrating a witness killing in Medellín, Colombia, alleging he used a Canadian website to help identify the target.
📰 Source Timeline (3)
Follow how coverage of this story developed over time
January 23, 2026
11:05 PM
Ex-Olympian Ryan Wedding arrives in US, escorted off plane in cuffs by FBI after Mexico capture
New information:
- Wedding was escorted in handcuffs off a plane by FBI agents at Ontario International Airport in San Bernardino County, California, confirming his arrival in U.S. custody.
- Fox reports he surrendered to authorities in Mexico after a period of negotiations and 'mounting pressure' that made it difficult for him to continue fleeing, though specific terms of the deal are not disclosed.
- The article reiterates FBI characterizations of Wedding as an 'extremely violent criminal' believed responsible for numerous murders abroad and details that he was added to the Ten Most Wanted list in March 2025.
6:35 PM
A Canadian Olympic snowboarder turned alleged drug kingpin is arrested in Mexico
New information:
- NPR confirms Wedding was apprehended Thursday night in Mexico and is being transported to the United States.
- Mexican Security Secretary Omar García Harfuch and a security‑cabinet source say Wedding voluntarily turned himself in at the U.S. embassy in Mexico before being taken into custody.
- The piece reiterates that Wedding was added to the FBI Ten Most Wanted list with a $15 million reward and details that DOJ previously charged him with orchestrating a witness killing in Medellín, Colombia, allegedly using a Canadian website to help identify the target.