Ex-Olympian Ryan Wedding Charged in US Over Murder of Witness Linked to Massive Cocaine Network

US authorities have charged fugitive former Canadian Olympic snowboarder Ryan Wedding with orchestrating the murder of a witness who was due to testify against him, according to a newly unsealed indictment. Officials say the killing took place in Colombia before the witness could give evidence in the case.

Indictment and alleged crimes

Prosecutors allege Wedding—known by aliases including "El Jefe," "Giant" and "Public Enemy"—oversaw the movement of hundreds of kilograms of cocaine from Colombia through Mexico and southern California into Canada. The operation is described by authorities as one of the most prolific and violent drug‑trafficking organizations they have investigated.

Officials announced the arrest of Ontario lawyer Deepak Paradkar, who is accused of advising Wedding to eliminate the FBI witness, identified as Jonathan Acebedo‑Garcia. Acebedo‑Garcia, a Canadian citizen and former member of Wedding's organization, was shot dead in a restaurant in Medellín in January.

International takedown

Bill Essayli, first assistant US attorney for the Central District of California, said Paradkar was among roughly a dozen people arrested in an international operation. Canadian authorities also arrested Atna Onha of Montreal and charged him with conspiracy to murder in connection with Acebedo‑Garcia's death. Law enforcement officials reported that seven Canadians have been arrested so far in the investigation.

"We are coming for you. We will find you. And you will be accountable and held to justice for your crimes," an official said, reflecting prosecutors' determination to pursue those responsible.

Government response and sanctions

FBI Director Kash Patel drew stark comparisons to historic drug lords when describing Wedding's alleged role in the organization. The State Department increased its reward for information leading to Wedding's capture and conviction from US$10 million to US$15 million. The US Treasury also announced sanctions against Wedding and nine other individuals linked to the network.

Background

Ryan Wedding, 43, grew up in Thunder Bay, Ontario, and represented Canada at the 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Olympics, finishing 24th in the parallel giant slalom. In 2006 he was named in a search warrant related to a marijuana cultivation probe in British Columbia but was not charged at the time. In 2010 he was convicted of drug trafficking after attempting to buy cocaine from a US government agent and served a prison term.

Authorities say that despite earlier encounters with law enforcement, Wedding later became a significant and violent transnational narcotics trafficker. Investigators estimate the organization’s revenues to be substantial, and the multi‑jurisdictional investigation remains ongoing.