URGENT UPDATE: Mexican authorities have launched a series of raids targeting Ryan Wedding, a former Olympic snowboarder and one of the FBI’s most-wanted fugitives. The raids, conducted on December 25, 2023, have resulted in the seizure of drugs, Olympic medals, ammunition, and 62 high-end motorcycles across multiple locations in Mexico City and the State of Mexico.
Officials confirmed that these operations are focused on a “former Olympic athlete who is among the 10 most wanted fugitives by US authorities.” Although the name Wedding was not explicitly mentioned in the announcement, he is the only Olympic athlete currently on the FBI’s list. The raids come as part of an urgent effort to apprehend Wedding, who is implicated in leading a billion-dollar drug trafficking operation.
During the raids, authorities uncovered not just motorcycles but also significant quantities of methamphetamine, marijuana, ammunition, and various documents crucial to the investigation. Intriguingly, two Olympic medals were also recovered, raising questions about their origin since Wedding did not win any medals during his Olympic career, where he finished 24th in the men’s parallel giant slalom in 2002.
Wedding, now 44, was added to the FBI’s most-wanted list in March after being identified as the kingpin of a large-scale operation responsible for transporting 60 metric tonnes of cocaine annually from Mexico through California to Canada. This operation reportedly involves not only drug smuggling but also contract killings, making Wedding a significant target for law enforcement agencies.
Authorities have been tight-lipped about specific details of the ongoing investigation but assure the public that their efforts will continue until Wedding is apprehended. As this situation develops, the implications for both the drug trade and international law enforcement efforts remain critical.
Stay tuned for more updates as this story unfolds.
