Former Canadian Olympic snowboarder Ryan Wedding, who was on the FBI’s top fugitives list for allegedly running an international drug ring, has been arrested, sources tell the The Associated Press.
Two people familiar with the case who were not authorized to publicly discuss details told AP that Wedding was arrested today.
The arrest is expected to be announced later this morning at a news conference with FBI Director Kash Patel in California.
Wedding, who has been accused of running a murderous transnational drug smuggling ring, was believed to have been on the run in Mexico.
He is alleged to have ordered the murders of several people, including a witness who could testify against him in a 2024 narcotics case.
The yearslong hunt for the 44-year-old from Thunder Bay, Ont., intensified last year after U.S. officials placed Wedding on the FBI’s Top 10 most-wanted list and put up a $15-million reward for information leading to his capture.
Wedding is accused of ordering the death of man in Niagara Falls.
In April 2024, 29-year-old Randy Fader, was shot dead on Epworth Circle, a residential neighbourhood, not far from the tourist district.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 23, 2026.— With files from The Associated Press, and 610m CKTB
Image credit: AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes, File
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