Mexican law enforcement authorities have seized an estimated $40 million worth of high-end motorcycles believed to belong to former Canadian Olympic snowboarder Ryan Wedding, now one of the FBI’s most sought-after fugitives, U.S. officials confirmed this week. The seizures mark a significant development in an international manhunt for Wedding, who is accused of leading a vast transnational drug trafficking organization and orchestrating multiple murders across the Americas.
According to FBI officials in Los Angeles, the motorcycles were confiscated during a series of coordinated raids carried out by Mexican authorities throughout December. The announcement was made public Wednesday via social media, drawing renewed attention to Wedding’s dramatic fall from elite athlete to alleged global crime figure.
The seizures come just weeks after U.S. prosecutors filed additional charges against Wedding and raised the reward for information leading to his capture to an unprecedented $15 million.
From Olympic Slopes to the FBI’s Most Wanted List
Ryan Wedding, now 44, once represented Canada on the world’s biggest athletic stage. He competed in the 2002 Winter Olympic Games in Salt Lake City, participating in the men’s parallel giant slalom snowboarding event. While he did not medal, his Olympic appearance marked the pinnacle of a promising athletic career.
At the time, Wedding was seen as a disciplined and driven competitor far removed from the violent criminal figure described by federal authorities today. The 2002 Games would be his only Olympic appearance after failing to qualify for the 1998 Winter Olympics.
More than two decades later, Wedding’s name now appears on the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list, a distinction reserved for individuals considered exceptionally dangerous and difficult to apprehend.
$40 Million in Seized Assets Signals Growing Pressure
In a statement released by the FBI, officials said Mexican authorities executed multiple search warrants during December, uncovering a “large number of motorcycles” believed to be owned by Wedding. The bikes many of them reportedly rare, luxury, or custom-built are collectively valued at approximately $40 million.
“These seizures represent a major disruption of Wedding’s financial network,” the FBI said, noting that asset forfeiture plays a crucial role in dismantling large-scale criminal organizations. Investigators believe Wedding used luxury vehicles and collectibles not only as status symbols but also as a way to store and launder wealth generated from drug trafficking.
Federal officials say Wedding has increasingly relied on cryptocurrency and high-value physical assets to obscure the origins of his money and evade traditional financial tracking systems.
Allegations of Drug Trafficking on a Global Scale
Wedding is accused of running a sprawling drug trafficking operation that allegedly moved tons of cocaine from Colombia through Mexico and into the United States and Canada. According to the FBI, the organization relied on sophisticated logistics networks, corrupt officials, and violent enforcement tactics to maintain control over key trafficking routes.
Authorities allege that Wedding personally oversaw major shipments and used encrypted communications and digital currencies to manage operations and profits. Prosecutors say his network operated across multiple countries, making the case one of the most complex international narcotics investigations in recent years.
The FBI has described Wedding as a “high-level trafficker” whose organization rivaled those of historic drug lords in scope and brutality.
Murder-for-Hire Allegations Intensify the Case
Beyond drug trafficking, Wedding faces some of the most serious accusations in the federal criminal code: murder and conspiracy to commit murder in furtherance of drug crimes.
U.S. officials allege that Wedding and 14 associates orchestrated the January 2025 killing of a witness in Colombia. The victim was reportedly shot and killed inside a restaurant, a brazen act meant to send a clear message.
According to investigators, Wedding believed that eliminating the witness would cause key charges against him and his criminal enterprise to collapse. Prosecutors say he allegedly placed a bounty on the victim’s head, setting in motion the fatal attack.
The FBI has since described Wedding as an “extremely violent criminal believed to be responsible for the murder of numerous people abroad,” adding that dozens of killings across North America and Latin America may be linked to his orders.
$15 Million Reward Reflects Severity of the Threat
In response to the mounting allegations and Wedding’s continued evasion of arrest, U.S. authorities recently increased the reward for information leading to his capture or conviction to $15 million one of the largest bounties currently offered by the U.S. government.
The reward increase underscores both the severity of the charges and the challenges law enforcement faces in locating him. Officials believe Wedding frequently changes locations, uses false identities, and relies on a tight inner circle for protection.
The FBI has not disclosed his last known whereabouts but confirmed that he is believed to be operating somewhere in Latin America.
FBI Director Compares Wedding to Notorious Drug Lords
During a news conference last month, FBI Director Kash Patel delivered unusually blunt remarks about Wedding’s alleged criminal empire.
“You do not get to be a drug kingpin and evade the law,” Patel said. “Make no mistake about it—Ryan Wedding is a modern-day iteration of Pablo Escobar. He’s a modern-day iteration of ‘El Chapo’ Guzman.”
Patel emphasized that the FBI is working closely with Canadian authorities, Mexican law enforcement, and international partners to bring Wedding to justice.
“This Justice Department and this FBI will not stop,” he said. “No matter how long it takes, we will hold him accountable.”
International Cooperation Drives the Investigation Forward
The motorcycle seizures highlight the growing level of cooperation between U.S. and Mexican authorities in the case. Officials say such collaboration is essential when confronting transnational criminal organizations that operate beyond the reach of any single country’s legal system.
By targeting Wedding’s assets, investigators aim to weaken his ability to fund operations, pay associates, and remain on the run. Law enforcement sources say additional seizures and arrests may follow as intelligence continues to develop.
A Stark Fall from Fame
Wedding’s trajectory from Olympic athlete to alleged international crime boss—has shocked both the sports world and law enforcement community. Once celebrated for athletic achievement, he is now accused of crimes that span continents and involve extreme violence.
Federal officials say his case serves as a reminder that notoriety, wealth, and past success do not place anyone beyond the reach of the law.
The Manhunt Continues
As of now, Ryan Wedding remains at large. The FBI urges anyone with information about his whereabouts or activities to contact authorities immediately, emphasizing that tips can be provided anonymously.
With $40 million in assets seized, a $15 million reward on the table, and intensified international cooperation underway, officials say pressure is mounting on one of the world’s most wanted fugitives.