Former Olympic snowboarder arrested over alleged drug empire that used crypto for laundering

A former Canadian Olympic snowboarder has been arrested in Mexico and brought to the U.S., where authorities say he led a major drug trafficking operation that used cryptocurrency to move and launder illicit proceeds.

Ryan Wedding, 44, once competed for Team Canada at the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, is alleged to have ties to the Sinaloa Cartel. U.S. officials said he was taken into custody on Friday and transported to the U.S. to face serious criminal charges.

U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi described Wedding as a “onetime Olympian snowboarder-turned alleged violent cocaine kingpin.” He had been on the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list over accusations including cocaine trafficking and murder. FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed on social media that Wedding was captured in Mexico.

According to the U.S. Treasury Department, Wedding’s criminal organization used cryptocurrency to move and launder drug trafficking proceeds, helping conceal vast amounts of illicit wealth. The Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) sanctioned him in November.

Before his alleged involvement in organized crime, Wedding had a notable athletic career. He won a silver medal at the Junior World Championships and later finished 24th in his event at the 2002 Winter Olympics.