A former Canadian Olympic snowboarder pleaded not guilty Monday to running a billion-dollar cocaine trafficking ring and orchestrating multiple killings, making his first U.S. court appearance since his arrest in Mexico last week. Ryan Wedding, who competed in the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, was ordered held in custody by U.S. Magistrate John D. Early following the hearing in federal court in Santa Ana, California.
The case underscores the international scale of drug trafficking prosecutions. Wedding’s arrest culminated a yearlong coordinated effort by law enforcement authorities in the United States, Mexico, Canada, Colombia and the Dominican Republic.
Charges and Operation
U.S. authorities say Wedding moved as much as 60 tons of cocaine between Colombia, Mexico, Canada and Southern California. His drug trafficking group was the largest supplier of cocaine to Canada, according to a 2024 indictment. Authorities believe he was working under the protection of the Sinaloa Cartel.
Wedding was added to the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list in March 2025 with a $15 million reward for information leading to his arrest and conviction. U.S. authorities said he had been hiding in Mexico for more than a decade.
Wedding’s group obtained cocaine from Colombia and worked with Mexican cartels to transport drugs by boat and plane to Mexico and then into the U.S. using semitrucks. The group stored cocaine in Southern California before sending it to Canada and other U.S. states.
Murder Allegations
Wedding was indicted in 2024 on federal charges of running a criminal enterprise, murder, and conspiring to distribute cocaine and other crimes. Authorities allege he directed the 2023 killings of two members of a Canadian family in retaliation for a stolen drug shipment and ordered a killing over a drug debt in 2024. Additional charges allege he orchestrated the killing of a witness in Colombia to avoid extradition to the U.S.
Court Appearance
Wedding arrived in court wearing a tan jail jumpsuit with his ankles chained. He smiled briefly, then clasped his hands and leaned back in his chair before reviewing papers with his attorney.
When asked by Magistrate John D. Early if he read the indictments filed against him, Wedding answered, “I’ve read them both, yes.”
Wedding’s defense attorney, Anthony Colombo, disputed claims that his client had turned himself in at the U.S. Embassy in Mexico City. “He was arrested,” Colombo said after the hearing. “He did not surrender.” Colombo said his client was in “good spirits” but added that “this has been a whirlwind for Mr. Wedding.”
The judge ordered Wedding held in custody, saying he could not immediately find conditions that would ensure public safety or Wedding’s appearance in court. He said he could consider bond if Wedding seeks it later.
Wedding was scheduled to return to court on February 11, with a trial date set for March 24.
Prior Convictions
Wedding was previously convicted in 2010 of conspiracy to distribute cocaine and was sentenced to prison. Online records show he was released from Bureau of Prisons custody in 2011.
In Canada, Wedding faces separate drug charges dating back to 2015.