A former Olympic snowboarder for Canada has made the FBI's wanted list for allegedly running a drug trafficking ring that shipped massive amounts of cocaine across the Americas.
Ryan James Wedding, 43, who now resides in Mexico, was charged with running a continuing criminal enterprise, murder, and conspiring to possess, distribute and export cocaine, according to the Department of Justice.
The FBI is offering a $50,000 reward for information leading to his arrest and extradition.
"Additionally, it is alleged Wedding was involved in orchestrating multiple murders in furtherance of these drug crimes," the FBI said.
Attorney Martin Estrada said during a press briefing Thursday that Wedding and 15 others conspired to ship 60 tons of cocaine a year from Southern California to Canada using long-haul semi-trucks in what officials call the "Wedding Criminal Enterprise."
"Ryan Wedding previously was an Olympic athlete for Canada, but instead of using the privileges that come with being an Olympic athlete to do good for people, he did the opposite," Estrada stated. "He chose to become a major drug trafficker, and he chose to become a killer.
U.S. authorities allege the group killed two members of a family in Canada in retaliation for a stolen drug shipment in what officials there said was a case of mistaken identity, as well as two other people, according to officials and federal court filings.
"Anyone who got in their way, they would target with violence, including murder," Estrada added.
Aliases for Wedding include "El Jefe," "Giant" and "Public Enemy."
During the investigation, law enforcement seized more than one ton of cocaine, three firearms, dozens of rounds of ammunition, $255,400 in U.S. currency, and more than $3.2 million in cryptocurrency, the DOJ said.
If convicted of murder and attempted charges, he faces a mandatory minimum penalty of life in federal prison. The continuing criminal enterprise charges also carry a mandatory minimum penalty of life in federal prison.
Several of the defendants were arrested in California, Michigan, Florida, Canada, Colombia and Mexico, according to prosecutors. They are expected to make court appearances in the coming week in Los Angeles, Michigan and Miami.
Wedding previously was convicted in the U.S. of conspiracy to distribute cocaine and was sentenced to prison in 2010, federal records show. Estrada said U.S. authorities believe that after Wedding's release, he resumed drug trafficking and has been protected by the Sinaloa Cartel in Mexico.