Key Highlights
- Ryan Wedding, a former Olympic snowboarder, is accused of running an international drug trafficking network.
- FBI Director Kash Patel described Ryan Wedding as a modern-day drug kingpin, comparing him to Pablo Escobar and ‘El Chapo’ Guzman.
- Nearly a dozen individuals were arrested in Operation Giant Slalom, including Ryan Wedding, who is on the FBI’s 10 Most Wanted list.
- Prosecutors allege Wedding ordered the killing of a federal witness to prevent testimony against him.
FBI Warns Drug Kingpin Ryan Wedding: You Will Never See the Outside of Prison Again
In a high-profile law enforcement operation, federal agents announced the arrest of 10 individuals involved in an international drug trafficking network. Among them is Ryan Wedding, once a promising Olympic snowboarder turned alleged drug kingpin. The case has sent shockwaves through the criminal underworld and sparked renewed efforts to combat the illegal drug trade.
Operation Giant Slalom: A Massive Crackdown
On Tuesday, Operation Giant Slalom targeted key members of an international network responsible for smuggling approximately $1 billion worth of cocaine into the United States annually. The operation, which involved law enforcement agencies across multiple jurisdictions, resulted in the arrest of individuals operating on both sides of the border.
The arrested individuals include:
- Deepak Balwant Paradkar, also known as “Cocaine Lawyer,” from Thornhill, Ontario, Canada
- Atna Ohna, 40, from Laval, Quebec, Canada
- Gursewak Singh Bal, 31, from Mississauga, Ontario, Canada
- Allistair Chapman, 33, from Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Ahmad Nabil Zitoun, 35, from Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
- Carmen Yelinet Valoyes Florez, 47, from Bogotá, Colombia
- Yulieth Katherine Tejada, 36, a legal permanent resident from Colombia and currently based in Orlando, Florida
- Edwin Basora-Hernandez, also known as “Ed Winter,” aged 31, from Montréal, Canada
- Wilson Riascos, 45, from Cali, Colombia
- Rolan Sokolovski, 37, from Toronto, Canada
The Accused Kingpin: Ryan Wedding
At the forefront of this operation is Ryan James Wedding, a 44-year-old Canadian national and former member of Canada’s 2002 Winter Olympics team. Wedding has been accused of orchestrating a criminal enterprise that smuggles around six metric tons of cocaine annually into Los Angeles via semitrucks from Mexico.
Speaking at the press conference, FBI Director Kash Patel described Ryan Wedding as “a modern day iteration of Pablo Escobar and ‘El Chapo’ Guzman.” The director emphasized Wedding’s extensive criminal network, which has operated with near impunity for years. “Ryan Wedding is a top-level drug trafficker who commands respect among his peers,” said Patel.
More damning evidence against Wedding was revealed in the form of accusations that he ordered the killing of a federal witness to prevent him from testifying against Wedding in a drug trafficking case. Assistant Director Akil Davis highlighted this act as “cruel, cold-blooded” and vowed that such actions would not go unpunished.
Reward and Resolve
With these arrests, the U.S. Department of Justice has issued a $15 million reward for Wedding’s arrest, underscoring the seriousness with which authorities view his case. Bill Essayli, First Assistant U.S.
Attorney, stated that “this week’s arrests underscore our resolve to root out and punish the wrongdoers involved in this criminal organization.” The statement concluded by warning Wedding: “If convicted, you will never see the outside of a prison ever again.”
The operation represents a significant blow to the drug trafficking network but also highlights the ongoing challenges faced by law enforcement agencies. As investigations continue, authorities remain committed to bringing all involved parties to justice.
