High-End Motorcycles and Drugs Seized in Raids Linked to Former Olympian Wanted by the US

As part of the bilateral cooperation between the governments of Mexico and the United States, federal authorities seized 62 high-end motorcycles, as well as drugs, on Wednesday at residences located in Mexico City and the State of Mexico. These properties are allegedly linked to former Olympic athlete Ryan James Wedding, who, after leaving the world of sports, reportedly joined organized crime.

James Wedding, who competed as a snowboarder in the 2002 Winter Olympics, is currently among the 10 most wanted fugitives by U.S. authorities, due to his alleged ties to the Sinaloa Cartel. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is offering a reward of up to $15 million for information leading to his location and capture.

According to an official statement, the seizure of two vehicles, as well as doses of methamphetamine and marijuana, was the result of coordinated efforts by the Attorney General’s Office (FGR), the Secretariat of Security and Citizen Protection (SSPC), the Secretariat of the Navy (Semar), the Secretariat of National Defense (Sedena), and the National Guard (GN).

Authorities indicated that, within the framework of bilateral cooperation to apprehend individuals wanted by other countries, sufficient evidence was gathered to request search warrants, which were authorized by a Control Judge.  Security forces then executed four search warrants at properties in Mexico City and the State of Mexico, allegedly linked to Wedding.

“As a result of bilateral cooperation to apprehend individuals wanted by authorities in other countries, lines of investigation were developed regarding a former athlete of foreign nationality linked to transnational criminal activities,” the bulletin reads.  This led to the identification of properties “related to illicit activities, for which sufficient evidence was gathered and presented to a control judge, who issued warrants to search the premises.”

During the searches, in addition to the motorcycles and drugs, “works of art, two Olympic medals, cartridges, a magazine, and various documents” were also found. These items were placed “at the disposal of the corresponding Public Prosecutor, who will continue with the subsequent investigations,” while “the properties were sealed and placed under the custody of the authorities,” the federal agencies reported.

In the United States, Ryan James Wedding is accused of leading and participating in the trafficking of “hundreds of kilograms of cocaine” to the United States and Canada, drugs that were allegedly transported from Colombia, through Mexico. He is also accused of allegedly planning murders related to drug trafficking activities.

“Ryan James Wedding is wanted for allegedly leading and participating in a transnational drug trafficking operation that routinely shipped hundreds of kilograms of cocaine from Colombia, through Mexico and Southern California, to Canada and other locations in the United States.  Additionally, Wedding is alleged to have participated in orchestrating multiple murders to further these drug crimes,” the FBI in Los Angeles revealed in a post on its X account. ZETA/SinEmbargo

Sources: Zeta Tijuana, Cartel Insider Archives