Summary
Former Olympic snowboarder Ryan Wedding has pleaded not guilty to 17 charges, including drug trafficking and conspiracy to commit murder. He appeared in a California court and is accused of running a large drug operation linked to the Sinaloa cartel. Authorities in both the U.S. and Canada have been searching for him, with recent arrests of associates linked to his alleged activities.
Key Facts
- Ryan Wedding is a former Olympic snowboarder who competed in the 2002 Winter Games.
- He faces 17 charges, including drug trafficking, witness tampering, and conspiracy to commit murder.
- U.S. officials say Wedding ran a drug cartel importing cocaine from Mexico to Los Angeles.
- Wedding was arrested in Mexico and appeared in a Santa Ana court in California.
- He was on the FBI's 10 Most Wanted list and is accused of ordering dozens of murders.
- Authorities allege he lived under the protection of the Sinaloa cartel in Mexico.
- The FBI seized Wedding's motorcycle collection in Mexico, valued at about $40 million.
- Seven Canadians linked to the alleged cartel operations have been arrested and face extradition.
