Who is Ryan James Wedding?

Ryan James Wedding, a one-time Olympic snowboarder, has been charged by federal prosecutors for running an international drug trafficking ring that shipped hundreds of pounds of cocaine into the US and was involved in “orchestrating multiple murders.”

The US Attorney’s Office in the Central District of California announced the charges for 43-year-old Ryan James Wedding, a Canada native who is believed to be in Mexico and a fugitive, on Thursday.

The charges include murder, criminal enterprise, as well as conspiring to possess, distribute, and export cocaine.

Prosecutors alleged that Wedding’s operation shipped cocaine from Colombia via Mexico and Los Angeles before it was delivered throughout the US and Canada using long-haul semi-trucks.

With multiple aliases such as “El Jefe,” “Giant” and “Public Enemy,” Wedding’s organization resorted to violence — including multiple murders — to achieve its goals, reports USA Today citing officials.

Ryan James Wedding, 43, competed for Canada in the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympic Winter Games before he was convicted of attempting to buy cocaine from a US federal agent in 2010.

Andrew Clark, 34, of Canada, who was also living in Mexico, was arrested on October 8, the FBI announced at a Los Angeles news conference.

Wedding is alleged to have led a transnational, organized crime group that engaged in cocaine trafficking and murder, US Attorney Martin Estrada told reporters.

The FBI has announced a reward of $50,000 for information leading to the arrest and extradition of Wedding. Authorities warned that Weddings could be armed and dangerous.