In a dramatic fall from grace, former Canadian Olympic snowboarder Ryan Wedding has allegedly transformed from celebrated athlete to one of the FBI's most wanted drug lords. The 44-year-old, who represented Canada at the 2002 Winter Olympics, now faces serious criminal charges that could see him spend life in prison.
From Olympic Glory to Criminal Empire
Ryan Wedding competed in the men's parallel giant slalom event during the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, representing his country on the world stage. Two decades later, he finds himself on a very different list - the FBI Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list in 2025.
According to federal authorities, Wedding has been operating as a major drug kingpin, allegedly distributing over 130,000 pounds of cocaine annually throughout the United States before expanding his operations to Canada. His criminal activities have drawn comparisons to notorious Colombian drug lord Pablo Escobar.
Key Associate Arrested in Major Breakthrough
The case took a significant turn when Wedding's top associate, Rasheed Pascua Hossain, was arrested by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police on Friday, November 21. The 32-year-old Vancouver resident, who operated under the alias "JP Morgan," had been wanted since October when a warrant was issued by a U.S. federal court in California.
Hossain faces charges related to money laundering operations that allegedly supported Wedding's drug trafficking network. His FBI profile now officially reads "Captured," marking a crucial victory for law enforcement agencies working on the case.
Violent Allegations and International Manhunt
The charges against Wedding extend beyond drug trafficking. He is also accused of ordering the murder of a federal witness who was scheduled to testify against him in court. The witness was murdered earlier this year in Medellin, Colombia, adding an international dimension to the already complex case.
In response to the severity of the charges and Wedding's elusiveness, the U.S. government has taken the extraordinary step of offering a $15 million reward for information that leads to his arrest. This substantial bounty reflects the high priority authorities have placed on capturing the former athlete.
With Hossain now in custody, investigators believe they are closer than ever to apprehending Wedding. The FBI appears to be playing a strategic waiting game, hoping that the arrest of his key financial operative will create pressure and potentially lead to mistakes that could finally bring the alleged drug kingpin to justice.
