Raids in Mexico as authorities close in on Olympic snowboarder-turned-narco kingpin

By David Amoruso for Gangsters Inc.

Climbing to the top of the underworld has its ups and downs. Like a mountain. One covered in snow. Luckily for Canadian drug boss Ryan Wedding he has quite some experience going up and down the slopes. He was an Olympic snowboarder after all, a lifetime ago it seems. Currently, he is listed as one of the FBI’s top ten most wanted fugitives. And things are primarily headed one way and one way only: down.

Mexican authorities recently reported that they carried out four search warrants at residences in Mexico City and the State of Mexico, related to Wedding. Though the press release did not state his name, it did state the raids were “related to a former Olympic athlete and one of the 10 most wanted fugitives by U.S. authorities”.

READ: The Olympic snowboarder who turned into a vicious and deadly drug kingpin in Mexico

During the raids, investigators found doses of methamphetamine and marijuana, 62 high-end motorcycles, two vehicles, works of art, two Olympic medals, ammunition, a magazine, and various documents.

Afterwards, the properties were sealed and placed under the custody of the authorities, while the seized items were turned over to the corresponding Public Prosecutor’s Office, which will continue with the subsequent investigations.

No arrests were made, media reported, and Wedding continues to be a fugitive.

He allegedly led an organized crime group that conspired to bring large shipments of cocaine into the United States and Canada. Furthermore, authorities allege that he ordered the killings of dozens of people around the world and targeted “innocent family members” of his perceived enemies.

Before getting involved in the world of drugs and narcos, Wedding was an athlete who placed 24th in the men’s giant parallel slalom at the 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Olympics.

READ: Iran Black Ops: Two Canadian Hells Angels recruited by Iranian for murder in U.S.

But those days are long gone. Authorities say Wedding has joined the Sinaloa Cartel in Mexico and is in the country under its protection. Though some doubt that theory.

CBC News talked to a man they claim is part of the Sinaloa Cartel. “At the moment I’m in charge of security,” he says, wearing a disguise. About Wedding he says: “I don’t believe he’s under the protection of the Sinaloa cartel, or that he’s in Mexico City, because Mexico city is the most surveilled city in the country and there are different intelligence agencies from the government.”

The cartel operative continues: “He’s gone viral in the last several months, that he is the new Chapo. I think they have him located, they’re just letting it go on, and on. When they finally capture him, they’ll make big news. And they’ll pump it up, like it’s giant news.”

WATCH THE REPORT BELOW:

Wedding’s arrest would make headlines around the world and add some sparkle to plenty of careers in law enforcement as well. People love a good story and Wedding offers the best kind: Olympic athlete-turned-narco kingpin. Hollywood couldn’t make that shit up.