Mexican authorities seize drugs, medals linked to former Olympian wanted by FBI
Officials did not name Ryan Wedding, but said the raids “are linked to a former Olympic athlete" who is a fugitive wanted by the US.
A series of recent raids by Mexican authorities resulted in the seizure of motorcycles, Olympic medals and drugs as part of an operation that appears to be connected to the search for Ryan Wedding, a former Canadian Olympic snowboarder who is wanted by the U.S. government.
The Mexican government did not name Wedding, but said in a statement this week that the raids “are linked to a former Olympic athlete who is among the 10 most wanted fugitives by US authorities.” Wedding, who was born in Thunder Bay, Ontario, and competed at the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, is the only person who matches that description.
Mexican authorities said that the investigation grew out of international collaboration, targeting a former athlete tied to cross-border criminal activity. Investigators traced “four properties in Mexico City and the State of Mexico” connected to illicit operations.
Multiple branches of law enforcement participated in the operation, including Mexico’s national guard, navy and federal agents from the FGR (Fiscalía General de la República). Authorities said the seized items included two Olympic medals, though their ownership remains unclear. Wedding finished 24th in the parallel giant slalom at the Olympics.
Officials also recovered “doses of methamphetamine and marijuana, 62 high-end motorcycles, two vehicles, works of art, ammunition, a firearm magazine, and various documents.”
On Dec. 11, federal authorities released an updated photograph of Wedding. The FBI’s Los Angeles field office said on X that the image was believed to have been taken in Mexico during the summer.
This week, @FBILosAngeles released a newly obtained photograph of #FBI Top Ten Fugitive Ryan James Wedding. The photo is believed to have been taken in Mexico during the summer of 2025.
Wedding is #wanted for allegedly running and participating in a transnational drug… pic.twitter.com/2ZlNibFZr6
— FBI (@FBI) December 11, 2025
Wedding, 44, was placed on the FBI’s 10 Most Wanted Fugitives list in March. Authorities accused him of leading a drug trafficking network that moved hundreds of kilograms of cocaine across Mexico, Colombia, the U.S. and Canada. A $15 million reward is being offered for information leading to his capture.