by SAN DIEGO, Calif. — A former Canadian Olympic snowboarder with long-standing ties to a San Diego federal drug case is now facing explosive new allegations: orchestrating the murder of a key witness in Colombia earlier this year.
Authorities say Ryan Wedding, once prosecuted in Southern California for a major cocaine conspiracy, expanded his criminal enterprise into an international drug network and arranged the execution of a witness he believed threatened his extradition.
Wanted Ex-Olympian Now Accused in Witness Killing
Wedding, who previously competed for Canada in snowboarding, was prosecuted nearly 16 years ago in San Diego for conspiracy to possess and distribute 24 kilograms of cocaine. His name reemerged this week with the announcement of new charges that tie him to the killing of a federal witness in Medellín, Colombia.
Ten co-defendants have already been arrested as part of the newly unsealed indictment, which alleges that Wedding worked with international partners to locate the witness.
Attorney General Pam Bondi addressed the case directly:
“Whether you are a street-level drug dealer or an international drug kingpin, we are coming for you. We will find you and you will be accountable.”
Authorities believe Wedding has been living in Mexico under the protection of the Sinaloa cartel, continuing to move large quantities of narcotics and building a network that reaches Colombia, Mexico, Southern California and Canada. The U.S. government has now raised the stakes, offering up to $15 million for information leading to his capture.
Alleged Role in Colombia Murder Plot
Federal prosecutors allege that Wedding used a Canadian website, “the Dirty News,” to publish a photograph of the witness, making him identifiable to hired killers. According to investigators, the victim was tracked to a restaurant in Medellín in January, where he was shot in the head.
Bill Essayli, the U.S. Attorney for the Central District of California, condemned the alleged plot:
“Wedding placed the bounty on the victim’s head in the erroneous belief that the victim’s death would result in the dismissal of criminal charges… He was wrong.”
Rewards of up to $2 million are also available for information leading to the arrest of others involved in the killing.
Drug Trafficking Operation Spanning Multiple Countries
The newly filed charges paint Wedding as a major figure overseeing the movement of 60 tons of cocaine per year, using long-haul semi-trucks to transport drugs from Colombia through Mexico and into Canada and the United States. Authorities say the operation relied on cartel alliances and a network of partners across North America.
Wedding allegedly used aliases such as “El Jefe,” “Public Enemy,” and “James Conrad King.”
The San Diego Connection: A Case That Began in 2008
Wedding’s connection to Southern California stretches back to a 2008 federal investigation involving the Akhundov Drug Trafficking Organization, a Vancouver-based group linked to large multi-state operations.
Court documents describe a series of negotiations in San Diego and Seattle that ultimately led to the planned purchase of cocaine at a Hampton Inn near Mission Valley.
According to sworn statements from FBI Special Agent Brett Kalina, Wedding and two co-conspirators — Michael Krapchan and Hassan Shirani — coordinated with a confidential source over several weeks.
Read Also: Markleysburg Boy Narrowly Escapes Black Bear After It Chases Him into Local Dollar Store
During early negotiations:
Wedding said the group planned to “grab one” kilo of cocaine to inspect and “grab the rest later.”
The June 13, 2008 operation ended with undercover agents observing Krapchan purchase a kilo for $17,000, after which he called Wedding and Shirani. All three men were arrested shortly after.
A subsequent search of their rental car uncovered a hotel key leading investigators to a Woodland Hills room containing about $100,000 hidden in furniture.
Read Also: Colorado Authorities Seize Over 1,000 Pounds of Meth in ‘One of Largest’ Busts Tied to Mexico
What Happened After the Federal Conviction
Wedding was convicted on May 28, 2010, and sentenced to four years in federal prison. According to the Bureau of Prisons, he served a little over a quarter of that sentence and was released in December 2011.
A BOP spokesperson confirmed:
“Where Mr. Wedding went after his release… is not available to this office.”
Authorities say he has since transformed into a high-level fugitive, aligning himself with cartel leadership.
Stay Informed
For more major crime developments, investigative updates, and community-focused reporting, visit mikeandjonpodcast.com.
