Too Much Powder—Former Olympic Snowboarder Added to FBI’s 10 Most Wanted List

Ryan Wedding, a former Canadian Olympic snowboarder, has been placed on the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list for his alleged role in running a transnational drug empire and ordering multiple murders. The U.S. Department of State is offering a reward of up to $10 million for information leading to his arrest.

From the Slopes to the Streets

Wedding, 43, competed in the Giant Slalom event at the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City. Born in Thunder Bay, Canada, he was once known for his prowess on the slopes. Now, he is known by aliases like “El Jefe,” “Public Enemy,” and “Giant,” and is accused of heading a vast cocaine trafficking operation that smuggled hundreds of kilograms of drugs from Colombia, through Mexico and the U.S., into Canada.

His placement on the FBI’s list makes him the 535th fugitive to be featured, replacing Alexis Flores, who is still wanting by the FBI in Philadelphia. Akil Davis, Assistant Director of the FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office, stated, “Wedding went from shredding powder on the slopes to distributing powder cocaine on the streets.”

A Deadly Drug Empire

According to federal prosecutors, Wedding's organization was not only responsible for large-scale drug trafficking but also ordered multiple murders. A superseding indictment filed in Los Angeles alleges that he and his second-in-command, Andrew Clark, directed the killing of two individuals in Ontario, Canada, in retaliation for a stolen drug shipment in November 2023. The indictment also ties Wedding to additional murders, including an execution-style killing in May 2024 and another in April 2024 over drug debts.

Clark was arrested by Mexican authorities last October and extradited to the U.S. last week, along with 28 other fugitives. Wedding, however, remains on the run.

International Manhunt

The FBI, in coordination with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, DEA, LAPD, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office, is intensifying efforts to track Wedding down. The U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs has authorized the $10 million reward through the Narcotics Rewards Program, supplementing the FBI’s existing $50,000 reward for his capture.

“Wedding’s criminal empire brought death and destruction across multiple countries,” said Matthew Allen, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA’s Los Angeles Field Division. “His addition to the FBI’s Most Wanted list, along with the reward, sends a clear message that we are committed to bringing him to justice.”

Possible Whereabouts and How to Report

Authorities believe Wedding is likely in Mexico but have not ruled out the possibility of him being in Canada, Colombia, Honduras, Guatemala, Costa Rica, or even back in the United States. He is described as 6’3”, 240 lbs., with brown hair and blue eyes. He may be using aliases such as James Conrad King or Jesse King.

Anyone with information on Wedding’s whereabouts is urged to contact the FBI through WhatsApp, Signal, or Telegram at +1-424-495-0614. Tips can also be submitted via the FBI’s website at tips.fbi.gov or reported to the nearest American embassy or consulate. Confidentiality is guaranteed for those providing information.

Aliases: James Conrad King, Jesse King
DOB: September 14, 1981
Hair: Brown, may wear a beard and/or mustache
Eyes: Blue
Height: 6’3”
Weight: 240 lbs. (may vary)
Nationality: Canadian
Place of Birth: Thunder Bay, Canada
Monikers: “Giant,” “Public Enemy,” “El Jefe”

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stash member Nico Johnson