Ryan Wedding flown back to California after being arrested by FBI in Mexico

ONTARIO, Calif. - Former Olympian snowboarder Ryan James Wedding was flown back to California Friday after being captured and arrested in Mexico City the day prior, federal investigators announced. His arrest comes after being on the run for months and accused of being heavily involved in a transnational crime organization. 

FBI's Most Wanted: ‘A Modern Day El Chapo’

What we know:

Federal officials explained investigators have worked tirelessly over the past year, and have worked with their partners in Canada, Mexico, Columbia and the Dominican Republic. 

"This marks the 500th capture of an FBI top 10 fugitive since its inception 75 years ago," said Akil Davis, Assistant Director of the FBI’s LA Field Office.

"Ryan Wedding tormented several people and several families that will never be the same, but today they get the justice that they sought," Davis said.

Davis explained Wedding and others are "charged in their roles in a transnational organized crime network shipping massive amounts of cocaine, approximately 60 metric tons, through Southern California on its way to Canada."

Davis said along with Wedding, 35 others have been arrested for their roles in the organization.

During Friday's press conference at Ontario International Airport, Wedding was referred to by FBI Director, Kash Patel, as "a modern-day El Chapo." 

"We went from an Olympic snowboarder to the largest narco trafficker in modern times. He is a modern day El Chapo, he is a modern day Pablo Escobar. And he thought he could evade justice," Patel added. "This individual and his organization in the Sinaloa Cartel poured narcotics into the streets of North America and killed too many of our youth and corrupted too many of our citizens and that ends today." 

"Because of their work, Los Angeles is safer," added Los Angeles Police Chief, Jim McDonnell. 

The backstory:

In November, the U.S. Department of Justice announced Wedding was indicted on murder, money laundering and drug trafficking charges connected to a transnational criminal enterprise that generated billions of dollars annually.

Federal investigators said Wedding’s organization works closely with the Mexico-based Sinaloa Cartel.

FBI Director Kash Patel said Wedding had been hiding in Mexico for more than a decade and was wanted on charges of cocaine trafficking and murder since 2024.

He was allegedly running a transnational drug trafficking operation that routinely shipped hundreds of kilograms of cocaine from Colombia, through Mexico and Southern California throughout the United States and Canada.

The 44-year-old is also accused of killing a U.S. federal witness who was gunned down in a restaurant in Medellín, Colombia, before he could testify against Wedding. 

Wedding is among 19 defendants, including a Canadian criminal barrister, a reggaeton musician, and a would-be gangland news website operator, charged in connection with the Jan. 31, 2025, witness murder.

PREVIOUS: $15 million manhunt: Ex-Olympian-turned drug kingpin Ryan Wedding charged with murdering US witness

The following month, dozens of Wedding’s motorcycles were seized by Mexican authorities.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE:

• Dozens of motorcycles belonging to wanted fugitive Ryan James Wedding seized by Mexican authorities
•  Ryan Wedding, ex-Olympian-turned drug kingpin, added to FBI 10 Most Wanted Fugitives list

Wedding was indicted in October on multiple federal charges, including running a continuing criminal enterprise, committing murder in connection with a continuing criminal enterprise and assorted drug crimes.

In March 2025, Wedding was placed on the FBI's 10 Most Wanted List. A $15 million reward was being offered for information leading to his capture and conviction.

"Wedding went from shredding powder on the slopes at the Olympics to distributing powder cocaine on the streets of U.S. cities and in his native Canada," said Akil Davis, assistant director of the FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office, in March 2025. "The alleged murders of his competitors make Wedding a very dangerous man, and his addition to the Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list, coupled with a major reward offer by the State Department, will make the public our partner so that we can catch up with him before he puts anyone else in danger."

What you can do:

FBI officials said they continue to investigate the case and are still searching for multiple individuals suspected of being involved. Those with information are asked to contact them by calling 424-494-0614.

What's next:

Wedding will remain in custody over the weekend and is scheduled to make his first court appearance on Monday, Jan. 26.

If convicted, he could face life in federal prison.

Crime and Public SafetyOntarioMexicoWorldInstastories