Former Olympian’s Global Drug Network Still Active in Canada, RCMP Warns

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) issued a stark warning this week, confirming that despite high-profile arrests and international sanctions, the sophisticated drug-trafficking network led by fugitive ex-Olympian Ryan Wedding remains operational within Canadian borders.

Wedding, a 44-year-old former Olympic snowboarder, is currently one of the FBI’s “Ten Most Wanted Fugitives,” with a staggering $15 million USD reward offered for information leading to his capture. While authorities believe Wedding is hiding in Mexico under the protection of the Sinaloa Cartel, the RCMP maintains that “elements of his organization” continue to facilitate the flow of narcotics into major Canadian cities.

A “Modern-Day Pablo Escobar”

U.S. and Canadian officials have described Wedding as a prolific and ruthless kingpin, with FBI Director Kash Patel recently likening him to a “modern-day iteration of Pablo Escobar.” Intelligence reports suggest his organization is responsible for trafficking upwards of 60 metric tons of cocaine annually, generating approximately $1 billion in illicit proceeds.

The network’s reach is vast, spanning from production hubs in Colombia through transit points in Mexico and Southern California, ultimately supplying what investigators call “ton-quantities” of cocaine to the Canadian market.

“Ryan Wedding continues to pose one of the largest organized crime threats to Canada, even as a fugitive. Never has it been more important to ensure our continued collaboration with international partners to tackle the threats we face.” — Royal Canadian Mounted Police

Domestic Operations and Recent Arrests

The RCMP’s confirmation of the network’s continued activity follows a massive joint investigation known as Operation Giant Slalom. In late 2024 and throughout 2025, over 30 individuals tied to the Wedding Criminal Enterprise were indicted.

Recent developments in the case include:

The Fugitive “Snow King”

Ryan Wedding first represented Canada at the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City before turning to the criminal underworld. He has been a fugitive since 2015, successfully evading capture even after being spotted by FBI agents at a Mexico City Starbucks in early 2024.

The fugitive’s ability to evade capture while maintaining operational control of a billion-dollar criminal enterprise demonstrates the sophisticated nature of his organization and the challenges faced by law enforcement agencies in bringing him to justice.