A former Olympic athlete turned drug kingpin allegedly ordered the execution of a federal witness, placing a multimillion-dollar bounty on their head in a shocking case that exposes the dangerous lengths criminals will go to silence those who cooperate with law enforcement.
Story Snapshot
- Former Canadian Olympian Ryan Wedding charged with ordering the murder of a federal witness for a multimillion-dollar bounty.
- Wedding leads transnational drug network importing 60 metric tons of cocaine annually through Southern California.
- DOJ’s Operation Giant Slalom results in 35 indictments, 10 arrests, and seizure of 2,000 kilos of drugs.
- State Department offers $15 million reward for Wedding’s capture as he remains on FBI’s Ten Most Wanted list.
Former Olympian Turned Drug Lord Orders Witness Execution
Ryan Wedding, a 44-year-old Canadian who competed in the 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Olympics, now faces federal charges for allegedly ordering the murder of a witness who testified against him in 2024.
The Justice Department’s unsealed indictment reveals Wedding placed a multimillion-dollar bounty on the federal witness, known as Victim A, who was subsequently killed in Colombia in January 2025.
This cold-blooded execution represents a direct assault on the justice system’s ability to protect those brave enough to testify against dangerous criminals.
#BREAKING 🚨 Olympian turned drug kingpin Ryan Wedding — currently on the FBI's top 10 most wanted list — has been accused of ordering the murder of a witness.
Details: https://t.co/MfDhwaGT7M pic.twitter.com/tI4q9F5wch
— TMZ (@TMZ) November 19, 2025
Massive Drug Operation Floods America with Cocaine
Attorney General Pamela Bondi described Wedding as the leader of one of the world’s most prolific and violent drug trafficking organizations.
The network allegedly imports approximately 60 metric tons of cocaine annually into Los Angeles through semi-trucks from Mexico, with distribution extending throughout the United States and Canada.
This massive operation directly fuels America’s drug crisis, poisoning communities and destroying families while enriching criminal enterprises that operate with complete disregard for human life and national sovereignty.
Wedding’s criminal empire ships hundreds of kilograms of cocaine from Colombia through Mexico and Southern California to Canada and other U.S. regions. Federal officials added Wedding to the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted List in March, highlighting the urgent need to capture this dangerous fugitive who continues operating from Mexico.
Operation Giant Slalom Delivers Justice
The FBI’s comprehensive investigation, dubbed Operation Giant Slalom, demonstrates effective international law enforcement cooperation in combating transnational crime.
Acting U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli announced the arrest of 10 individuals in the operation’s second phase, while the broader investigation has resulted in 35 indictments.
Authorities have seized 2,000 kilograms of narcotics, numerous weapons, and recovered $3.2 million in cryptocurrency, striking significant blows against Wedding’s criminal network.
FBI Assistant Director Akil Davis emphasized the operation’s international scope, involving dedicated partners across multiple countries working to capture Wedding and deliver justice for murder victims.
This coordinated effort represents the type of decisive action Americans expect from law enforcement agencies committed to protecting national security and public safety from foreign criminal enterprises.
Justice System Fights Back Against Criminal Intimidation
Wedding faces charges including witness tampering, intimidation, murder, money laundering, and drug trafficking, with potential life imprisonment if convicted.
The State Department’s Narcotics Rewards Program offers up to $15 million for information leading to Wedding’s arrest or conviction, reflecting the government’s commitment to bringing this fugitive to justice.
Senior Bureau Official Chris Landberg’s statement that “no one, not even a former Olympian, is above the law” reinforces America’s principle of equal justice under law, regardless of past achievements or current criminal status.
