Former Olympian Faces U.S. Sanctions for Alleged Crime Empire
In a shocking turn of events, Ryan James Wedding, a former Olympic snowboarder representing Canada at the 2002 Winter Olympics, has been sanctioned by the U.S. Department of the Treasury. Once celebrated for his athletic prowess, Wedding is now accused of running a massive transnational cocaine empire that rivals infamous drug lords like Pablo Escobar and El Chapo Guzmán.
An Unprecedented Case: From Athlete to Fugitive
According to the U.S. Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), Wedding is alleged to have turned his post-Olympic life into one of crime. He harnessed cryptocurrencies like Tether’s USDT stablecoin to launder money, bypassing traditional banking systems. The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) reports that over $3.2 million in cryptocurrency was seized along with one ton of cocaine, firearms, and cash totaling $255,400.
FBI Director Kash Patel described Wedding as a “modern-day iteration of Pablo Escobar,” accusing him of facilitating undue suffering through narcotics trafficking, ordering dozens of violent murders, and employing highly sophisticated methods to manage this criminal network.
Sanctions and Arrest Efforts
The new sanctions from the U.S. government target Wedding, nine of his associates, and nine related entities. The sanctions freeze all U.S.-based assets and enforce strict criminal penalties for any violations. The Treasury has coordinated with agencies in Mexico and Canada to track down the fugitive, who has been on the FBI’s 10 Most Wanted Fugitives list for over a year.
The FBI has raised the bounty for information leading to Wedding’s capture to $15 million in hopes of resolving the case. Wedding is suspected to be hiding in Mexico, with Mexican authorities working alongside the FBI to bring him to justice.
Key Figures in the Network
A major part of the sanctions implicates Wedding’s associates, including:
- Miryam Andrea Castillo Moreno: Wedding’s wife, accused of aiding his schemes.
- Edgar Aaron Vazquez Alvarado: Allegedly tasked with protecting Wedding.
- Rolan Sokolovski: A Canadian jeweler and owner of Diamond Tsar, suspected of laundering millions of dollars in drug money through crypto transactions.
The Treasury’s Goal: Cutting Off Criminals
John K. Hurley, undersecretary of the Treasury for terrorism and financial intelligence, emphasized the importance of dismantling this network. He stated, “Our goal is simple: make it difficult for criminals like this to profit from poisoning our communities.” The Treasury, in collaboration with the FBI and DOJ, is determined to cut off Wedding and his associates from financial systems that enable their illegal activity.
The Role of Cryptocurrency
This case underscores the use of cryptocurrencies like Tether for illegal activities. To counteract such misuse, crypto education and tools that prioritize transparency are critical. One product notable in the crypto security space is Ledger Nano X (available here), which helps individuals secure their digital assets safely.
Public Safety and Justice
The gravity of Ryan Wedding’s alleged crimes cannot be overstated. With his actions resulting in countless victims, U.S. authorities remain resolute in bringing him to justice. The inter-agency collaboration involving U.S., Canadian, and Mexican officials demonstrates the global commitment to combating narcotics trafficking and its devastating impacts.
For ongoing updates on this case, stay tuned to our website and subscribe to our newsletter.
