The glittering promise of Olympic gold once defined Ryan Wedding’s life. A Canadian snowboarder who competed in the 2002 Winter Games, he embodied athleticism and national pride. But beneath the surface, a darker ambition was taking root, one that would transform him from a celebrated athlete into a suspected international drug lord.
Authorities now allege that Wedding didn’t simply trade his snowboard for a life of crime – he built a billion-dollar empire fueled by cocaine. U.S. officials have named him as one of the world’s most powerful drug traffickers, placing him in the same infamous category as figures like El Chapo and Pablo Escobar. The scale of his alleged operation is staggering: 60 metric tons of cocaine trafficked annually.
The investigation, dubbed “Operation Giant Slalom,” has culminated in the arrests of ten individuals and eleven now in custody, including Wedding’s own lawyer. The accusations extend beyond drug trafficking to include chilling claims of witness intimidation and even murder. A key witness, poised to testify against Wedding, was executed with five bullets to the head earlier this year.
The net is tightening, but Wedding remains at large, believed to be hiding in Mexico and potentially shielded by the Sinaloa Cartel. A $15 million reward has been offered for information leading to his arrest, a testament to the perceived threat he poses. Officials are urging the public to be vigilant, noting his imposing stature – 6’4” and between 230 and 250 pounds – will make him difficult to truly disappear.
Seven arrests were made in Canada, spanning multiple provinces. Among those apprehended was Deepak Paradkar, Wedding’s legal counsel, accused of recommending the silencing of the witness. The investigation reveals a complex network, stretching across borders and implicating individuals in cities like Toronto, Montreal, Calgary, and even reaching into Colombia and Florida.
Law enforcement officials on both sides of the border emphasize the unprecedented level of cooperation that brought this case to light. Yet, despite the significant progress, the search for Wedding continues. He is considered a top threat to public safety, and authorities are determined to bring him to justice, dismantling his alleged criminal enterprise and ending his reign as a suspected kingpin.
The story serves as a stark reminder that even those who reach the pinnacle of athletic achievement can fall prey to darkness, and the consequences of their choices can ripple across continents, leaving a trail of destruction and despair.
