Canadian snowboarder charged in US drug trafficking scheme

In the United States, a former Olympic snowboarder from Canada, Ryan James Wedding, has been charged with leading a drug trafficking operation that allegedly transported large quantities of cocaine across the Americas. Authorities claim that his organization moved around 60 tons of cocaine annually, utilizing long-haul trucks to transport the drugs from Colombia through Mexico and into the U.S. and Canada. Wedding, who is currently a fugitive believed to be in Mexico, faces serious charges including murder and conspiracy to distribute cocaine. The FBI has offered a $50,000 reward for information leading to his arrest. The investigation has revealed that Wedding's group was involved in violent acts, including the murder of two individuals in Canada, which was reportedly a case of mistaken identity linked to a stolen drug shipment. In total, 16 individuals have been charged in connection with this drug trafficking ring, with several remaining at large. Authorities have seized significant assets during the investigation, including cocaine, weapons, and over $3 million in cryptocurrency. Wedding previously faced drug trafficking charges in Canada dating back to 2015 and had a prior conviction in the U.S. for conspiracy to distribute cocaine, for which he served time in prison. After his release, it is believed he resumed his criminal activities, allegedly receiving protection from the Sinaloa Cartel in Mexico. This case highlights the ongoing issues of drug trafficking and violence associated with organized crime in North America, as well as the challenges law enforcement faces in apprehending fugitives involved in such serious crimes.