Today, Wednesday (11/19), the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) announced an increased reward for information leading to the location of Ryan Wedding. (featured image)He is considered one of the major drug traffickers in Canada. The amount, which was US$10 million (R$53.3 million), was increased to US$15 million (R$79.9 million) and is part of the State Department’s drug rewards program.
Wedding is on the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list and is wanted for leading an international organization responsible for sending large quantities of cocaine from Colombia to the United States and Canada. Authorities believe he lives in Mexico and is receiving protection from the Sinaloa Cartel.
During a press conference at the Department of Justice in Washington, US and Canadian authorities detailed the structure of the group led by the fugitive.
Wedding, a former Olympic snowboarder for Canada at the 2002 Winter Games, reportedly turned to crime after the end of his athletic career. US Attorney Pam Bondi stated that the operation he led generated profits of more than US$1 billion annually.
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According to Bondi, the group smuggled 60 metric tons of cocaine annually, which would have put Wedding on the same level as drug trafficking bosses such as Pablo Escobar and Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzman. He pointed out that he “controls one of the most widespread and violent drug trafficking organizations in the world.”
Wanted accused of ordering murder
The 44-year-old fugitive was also accused of ordering the murder of a federal witness who was to testify against him. The victim was killed by five shots to the head in January, in Medellin, Colombia. On Wednesday, lawyer Deepak Paradkar was arrested in Canada on suspicion of directing Wedding to eliminate a witness.
FBI Director Kash Patel said the decision to increase the reward represents a joint effort by multiple agencies to dismantle transnational criminal organizations. “Criminal activities and acts of violence will not be tolerated at the wedding,” he said.
In addition to the Department of Justice and the FBI, the Department of the Treasury, the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police are also involved in the operation. The US Treasury Department imposed sanctions on Wedding and others associated with him, blocking access to financial accounts in the country.
Akil Davis, Assistant Director of the FBI in Los Angeles, confirmed that the wedding was considered dangerous. He is about 1.90 meters tall and weighs about 109 kg, and can change his appearance to escape from the police. He added: “We will find him and bring him to justice.”
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