Former Olympic snowboarder Ryan Wedding has been arrested in Mexico after spending more than a decade on the run, according to U.S. authorities. Wedding, who competed for Canada at the 2002 Winter Olympics, had been one of the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted Fugitives.
Prosecutors allege Wedding later became a key figure in a large international drug trafficking operation responsible for moving massive quantities of cocaine into North America. Authorities also accuse him of ordering multiple murders tied to the organization, including killings meant to silence potential witnesses.
U.S. officials say Wedding was taken into custody with the help of Mexican authorities following a long international manhunt that involved cooperation between law enforcement agencies in multiple countries. At one point, a reward of up to $15 million was offered for information leading to his capture.
Wedding is expected to face federal charges in the United States, including drug trafficking and conspiracy offenses. Court proceedings and additional details are expected to follow as the case moves forward.