Olympic Snowboarder Turned Alleged Crypto Crime Kingpin Arrested in Mexico
The FBI arrested Ryan James Wedding, a Canadian former Olympic snowboarder and wanted fugitive, for allegedly running a cocaine trafficking network from Colombia through Mexico to the United States. U.S. authorities accuse Wedding and his partners of organizing multiple murders and using the cryptocurrency Tether (USDT) for drug payments, with transactions conducted via QR codes. Wedding, suspected of hiding in Mexico, was apprehended after over a year of pursuit and is being extradited to the U.S. In 2024, authorities seized one ton of cocaine, $3.2 million in cryptocurrency, and multiple firearms linked to the operation. The U.S. Treasury also sanctioned Wedding, his associates, and a Toronto jewelry business alleged to have laundered drug money. The FBI had placed Wedding on its Top Ten Most Wanted list and offered up to $15 million for information leading to his capture. It is unclear if the bounty contributed to his arrest or if the reward will be paid.
