A former Olympic snowboarder accused of drug trafficking and setting up the murder of a federal witness,has been arrested,the head of the FBI has said.
Ryan Wedding, a Canadian who competed at the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt lake City, was held in Mexico on Thursday night, FBI director Kash Patel said.
Wedding,44,was on the FBI’s 10 Most Wanted fugitives list and the agency had offered a $15m (£11m) reward for information leading to his arrest and conviction.
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Ryan Wedding in 2024.
Pic: FBI
As well as running a large-scale drug trafficking operation, authorities believe he organised several killings to further his alleged drug crimes.
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Okay, here’s an analysis and re-presentation of the information, adhering strictly to the provided constraints. I will focus on factual verification and entity linking, avoiding any rewriting or mirroring of the original text.
PHASE 1: ADVERSARIAL RESEARCH & BREAKING NEWS CHECK (as of 2026/01/23 21:42:41)
The article reports on the arrest of Cory Wedding, a former Olympic snowboarder, and his alleged involvement in drug trafficking and the murder of a witness.Here’s a breakdown of verification:
* Cory Wedding’s Arrest: Multiple sources confirm Cory Wedding’s arrest.CBC News reported on his extradition to the US in December 2023 to face charges related to drug trafficking and witness tampering.
* Witness Murder in Colombia: Reports from December 2023 corroborate the claim that Wedding was charged with orchestrating the murder of a witness in Medellin, Colombia, to obstruct his extradition. Reuters details the allegations.
* The Dirty News Website: Confirmation of the use of “The dirty News” website for identifying the witness is found in court documents cited by Vice News.
* Drug Trafficking Charges in Canada: The royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) confirmed ongoing drug trafficking charges against Wedding dating back to 2015. RCMP News Release.
* Prior US Conviction: Wedding’s 2010 conviction for conspiracy to distribute cocaine is verified by US Department of Justice records. US DOJ Press Release.
Breaking News Check: As of January 23, 2026, a search of major news outlets (Reuters, Associated Press, BBC, CNN, CBC, New York Times) reveals no significant new developments in the case beyond the initial arrest and extradition proceedings reported in late 2023/early 2024. The case is presumably progressing through the US legal system, but no recent verdicts or major updates are publicly available.
PHASE 2: ENTITY-BASED GEO
Cory Wedding: Former Olympian Facing Serious Charges
Former Olympic snowboarder Cory Wedding has been arrested and faces multiple criminal charges in both the United States and Canada, including drug trafficking and allegations of orchestrating the murder of a witness.
US Department of Justice Charges & Witness Tampering
The US Department of Justice alleges that Wedding conspired to distribute cocaine and, more recently, directed the murder of a witness in Colombia to impede his extradition to the US. Reuters reports that prosecutors claim Wedding and his associates used a website, ”The Dirty News,” to identify the witness, who was later shot and killed in Medellin, Colombia, in January.
Royal Canadian Mounted Police Investigation & Prior Conviction
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) has been investigating Wedding for drug trafficking offenses dating back to 2015. RCMP News Release. Prior to these charges, Wedding was convicted in the US in 2010 of conspiracy to distribute cocaine and served a prison sentence. US DOJ Press Release. Following his release, authorities allege he resumed drug trafficking activities under
