FBI raises reward to $15 Million for fugitive linked to SoCal narcotics pipeline

CALIFORNIA – The FBI announced November 19 that the reward for alleged Canadian narcotics trafficker Ryan Wedding has been increased to $15 million.

The U.S. is offering additional rewards for information leading to the arrests of the unidentified assassins who killed a potential witness last January in Medellín, Colombia.

Wedding is wanted for allegedly running a transnational drug operation that moved hundreds of kilograms of cocaine from Colombia through Mexico and Southern California to Canada and other U.S. locations.

Former Olympic athlete

Wedding, who is on the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted list, is a former snowboarder who competed for Canada in the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City.

After his snowboarding career, Wedding shifted into transnational narcotics trafficking.

U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi said Wedding’s operation was responsible for more than $1 billion a year in illegal drug proceeds.

“He controls one of the most prolific and violent drug-trafficking organizations in this world,” Bondi said, adding that under Wedding’s direction his operation has trafficked 60 metric tons of cocaine per year.

According to Bondi, Wedding is the largest distributor of cocaine in Canada.

Wedding allegedly ordered the killing of a federal witness

Officials said Wedding is believed to live in Mexico.

They allege the 44-year-old has worked with the Sinaloa Cartel to move Colombian cocaine into the U.S. and Canada and that cartel members are protecting him.

New indictments accuse Wedding of ordering the killing of a federal witness—shot five times in the head earlier this year before the witness could testify against him.

Among the seven people arrested in Canada was Wedding’s attorney, Deepak Paradkar, who is accused of advising him to have the witness killed.

Wedding should stand out in Mexico

FBI Los Angeles Field Office assistant director Akil Davis said Wedding—at 6 feet, 3 inches tall and weighing about 240 pounds, should stand out in Mexico.

“Wedding may change his appearance and hair color, and should not be approached because he is dangerous,” Davis said.