Olympic snowboarder Ryan Wedding, one of the FBI’s most-wanted fugitives who is suspected of cocaine trafficking, has been taken into custody, two law enforcement officials familiar with the investigation tell NBC News.
Wedding, 44, is charged with overseeing operations of a criminal enterprise, including witness intimidation tactics. In March, Wedding was placed on the FBI’s most-wanted fugitives list.
A $15 million reward was offered for information in the case. Details about what led to the arrest were not immediately available.
An announcement by authorities is planned for 8 a.m. Friday in Ontario, California.
Wedding’s fall from Olympic glory unfolded over the course of two decades when he became a key figure in a violent and lucrative illicit drug operation, according to authorities. Wedding is suspected of orchestrating killings tied to the billion-dollar cocaine cartel, including the murder of a federal witness.
The crimes began in 2008, six years after Wedding’s Olympic debut when he was a promising snowboarder in his 20s, according to court documents.
The Canadian national was believed to be hiding in Mexico.
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
About the Author
Discover more from USA NEWS
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
