The U.S. Department of Justice has escalated its pursuit of former Olympic snowboarder Ryan Wedding, increasing the reward to $15 million for information leading to his capture. Wedding stands accused of masterminding a sophisticated international drug trafficking operation that utilized cryptocurrency to launder proceeds, marking another high-profile case linking digital assets to organized crime.
A stunning fall from grace has captured international attention as U.S. authorities have placed a $15 million bounty on Ryan Wedding, a former Olympic snowboarder now accused of running a massive cryptocurrency-enabled drug trafficking network.
According to unsealed indictments from the Department of Justice released on November 19, Wedding allegedly orchestrated an international criminal enterprise that leveraged digital currencies to facilitate and conceal illicit drug transactions. The former athlete, who represented Canada in the 2002 Winter Olympics, now faces serious federal charges related to drug trafficking and money laundering operations spanning multiple countries.
The substantial reward amount—$15 million—signals the gravity with which federal authorities view this case and reflects Wedding's alleged position at the helm of the organization. The DOJ's announcement indicates that Wedding's operation utilized cryptocurrency's pseudonymous features to obscure money trails and enable cross-border transactions, a tactic increasingly common among sophisticated criminal networks.
This case adds to growing concerns about cryptocurrency's role in facilitating illegal activities, though experts consistently note that blockchain technology's transparency actually aids law enforcement in tracking illicit transactions more effectively than traditional cash-based schemes. The public nature of blockchain ledgers has proven instrumental in numerous high-profile prosecutions.
Wedding's transformation from Olympic athlete to alleged drug kingpin represents one of the most dramatic criminal cases involving a former sports figure in recent memory. His participation in the 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Olympics, where he competed in parallel giant slalom, now stands in stark contrast to his current status as a federal fugitive.
The Department of Justice has not disclosed Wedding's current whereabouts, though authorities believe he may be operating from outside U.S. jurisdiction. The $15 million reward places this case among the highest-value fugitive bounties currently active, typically reserved for individuals considered significant threats to public safety or national security.
As cryptocurrency adoption continues expanding globally, law enforcement agencies have significantly enhanced their capabilities to track digital asset movements. This case serves as a reminder that while criminals may attempt to exploit new technologies, blockchain's inherent traceability often becomes a liability rather than an advantage for those operating outside the law.
Anyone with information regarding Ryan Wedding's location is urged to contact federal authorities immediately.