Ryan Wedding has been apprehended after spending over a decade evading capture, as confirmed by the FBI.
The former Canadian Winter Olympian is thought to have veered into criminal activities several years ago, becoming associated with numerous significant offenses.
He was listed among the FBI’s most wanted figures, and last year, the agency announced a substantial $15,000,000 reward for any information leading to his capture.
The FBI detailed that Wedding is accused of ‘allegedly running and participating in a transnational drug trafficking operation that routinely shipped hundreds of kilograms of cocaine from Colombia, through Mexico and Southern California, to Canada, and other locations in the United States’.
Specifically, authorities claimed in November that he was importing 60 metric tonnes of cocaine annually into Los Angeles using semi-trailer trucks from Mexico.
The most recent verified sighting of the 44-year-old was reportedly two years ago, according to CBC News. However, crucial progress was made in tracking him in December when law enforcement conducted four raids on properties in Mexico.
During these raids, authorities confiscated 62 luxury motorcycles, two vehicles, methamphetamine, marijuana, artwork, ammunition, and various documents.
Reports emerged earlier today (January 23) concerning Wedding’s arrest, as per two law enforcement officials knowledgeable about the case who spoke with NBC News.
This information has now been verified by the FBI, which issued a statement.
FBI Director Kash Patel took to Twitter to express in a detailed statement: “Thanks to President Trump’s leadership and commitment to global law enforcement – as of this morning, the DOJ/FBI officially apprehended our SIXTH Top Ten Most Wanted Fugitive within the last year. Thank you to @AGPamBondi for her relentless pursuit of justice, the US Attorney’s Office in L.A., and FBI Los Angeles.”
He further stated: “Ryan James Wedding was taken into custody in Mexico last night. He is being transported from Mexico to the U.S. via FBI FTOC to face justice.
“Wedding is believed to have been hiding in Mexico for over a decade – and has been wanted on charges for cocaine trafficking and murder since 2024.”
Patel has previously likened Wedding to a ‘modern-day Pablo Escobar’.
Thanks to President Trump’s leadership and commitment to global law enforcement – as of this morning, the DOJ/FBI officially apprehended our SIXTH Top Ten Most Wanted Fugitive within the last year. Thank you to @AGPamBondi for her relentless pursuit of justice, the US Attorney’s… pic.twitter.com/fnSP4IXQRI
— FBI Director Kash Patel (@FBIDirectorKash) January 23, 2026
“Make no mistake about it, Ryan Wedding is a modern day iteration of Pablo Escobar, a modern day iteration of El Chapo Guzman,” he mentioned at a news conference last year, and added: “This justice department and this FBI will work with our Canadian counterparts and the government officials across the world to bring him to justice.”
The FBI shared a photograph believed to have been taken last summer, showing Wedding reclining in bed in a selfie, with a prominent lion tattoo visible on his left chest.