Video shows Ryan Wedding’s dramatic return to US after FBI arrest
New footage has emerged showing the dramatic return of Ryan Wedding, a former Olympic snowboarder turned alleged drug kingpin, to the United States. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) reported that Wedding, a key fugitive wanted for trafficking around 60 tons of cocaine from Latin America to the U.S. annually and being involved in multiple murders, was apprehended in Mexico and transported to California.
According to the FBI, Wedding was accused of leading and participating in an international drug trafficking network that regularly transported large quantities of cocaine from Colombia, through Mexico and Southern California, to various locations in the United States and Canada. Additionally, Wedding was alleged to have orchestrated numerous murders to further his illicit drug activities.
After being added to the FBI’s 10 Most Wanted list in March 2025, Wedding surrendered at the U.S. embassy in Mexico City on Thursday, marking the end of a lengthy manhunt. FBI Director Kash Patel likened Wedding to the notorious drug lord Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán, stating that Wedding operated similarly to the former leader of the Sinaloa Cartel. Patel revealed that Wedding had been evading authorities in Mexico for over a decade, facing charges of cocaine trafficking and homicide since 2024.
U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi credited President Trump’s administration for Wedding’s arrest, emphasizing that under the current leadership, criminals like Wedding would find no refuge. Additionally, Bondi commended the efforts of FBI Director Patel, U.S. Ambassador Ron Johnson, and Mexican authorities for their collaboration in capturing Wedding.
Wedding, who had previously been convicted in the U.S. for conspiracy to distribute cocaine in 2010, now faces charges related to operating an extensive drug trafficking ring spanning across multiple countries, as well as being implicated in the murders of a federal witness and three others. Hailing from Canada, Wedding had participated in the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, representing his home country in a single event.
The arrest of Ryan Wedding represents a significant blow to the world of organized crime and drug trafficking. The collaboration between multiple law enforcement agencies, both domestic and international, underscores the importance of shared efforts in combating transnational criminal activities. Wedding’s capture serves as a testament to the relentless pursuit of justice and the commitment of authorities to hold criminals accountable for their actions.