The FBI announced Friday that it has arrested Ryan James Wedding, a wanted fugitive and former Olympic snowboarder accused of operating a drug-smuggling empire backed by crypto.
The former snowboarder, who represented Canada at the 2002 Winter Olympics, was long thought to be hiding in Mexico. After more than a year of pursuit, Wedding was arrested in the country last night, FBI Director Kash Patel said Friday.
“This is a huge day for a safer North America, and the world, and a message that those who break our laws and harm our citizens will be brought to justice,” Patel said.
The FBI director added that Wedding is currently being transported by the FBI to the United States to face trial.
In late 2024, the DOJ seized one ton of cocaine, $3.2 million worth of crypto, and multiple firearms connected to Wedding and his alleged drug running scheme.
It’s not yet clear if information from the bounty program led to Wedding’s arrest, or if the cash reward will be paid. An FBI spokesperson did not immediately respond to Decrypt’s request for comment on the matter.
