Ryan Wedding of Canada takes a practice run for the men's parallel giant slalom of the Salt Lake 2002 Winter Olympic Games in Park City, February 13, 2002. Competition in the men's parallel giant slalom begins February 14, 2002. REUTERS/Jeff J Mitchell
(Ontario, Canada) – Former Olympian Ryan Wedding, once listed on the FBI Top Ten Most Wanted, is now in custody after authorities dismantled what they allege was a global trafficking empire, federal officials confirmed.
Law enforcement sources say Wedding was taken into custody following a coordinated international operation, marking a significant breakthrough in a case that spanned multiple countries and years of investigation. Prosecutors allege Wedding played a central role in directing trafficking operations across borders, using international networks to evade capture.
Officials credited the arrest to close cooperation between the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Department of Justice, calling the takedown a major victory against transnational crime. “This is a big win,” one official said, noting the difficulty of tracking a suspect with global reach.
Wedding’s capture closes a dramatic chapter that saw a former elite athlete become one of the most sought-after fugitives in the world. Authorities say additional details, including charges and extradition proceedings if applicable, will be released as the case moves forward.
