The FBI arrests have brought to light a stunning case involving a former Olympian accused of masterminding a crypto-enabled cocaine empire. Ryan Wedding, once a celebrated Olympic snowboarder, was apprehended in Mexico City. He faces charges in the United States related to extensive cocaine trafficking and murder.
Wedding’s arrest marks the culmination of a long-running investigation. He had been on the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list since 2025, with a substantial reward offered for information leading to his capture. The operation he allegedly oversaw was not only vast but also violent, spanning multiple countries.
Crypto’s Role in the Cocaine Empire
While the primary charges focus on drug trafficking and murder, U.S. authorities have underscored the role of cryptocurrency in facilitating these illegal activities. According to U.S. Treasury officials, Wedding’s organization utilized digital currencies as a key tool to finance operations and obscure the origins of their illicit wealth.
In November, the Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control took action against Wedding and his network. They sanctioned him and associated entities, pointing to their use of crypto for laundering drug proceeds. The network’s activities were reportedly linked across several blockchains, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, Tron, Solana, and BNB Chain.
Details of the Operation
This crypto-enabled cocaine empire reportedly moved hundreds of kilograms of cocaine from Colombia through Mexico and Southern California, eventually reaching the United States and Canada. Authorities have detailed a transaction involving 17,300 USDT tied to a cocaine deal, highlighting the integration of stablecoins in their operations.
The Treasury sanctions further identified a dozen crypto addresses connected to Wedding and his associates. These moves signal what officials describe as a large-scale, multi-chain laundering operation consistent with the alleged trafficking efforts.
Legal Proceedings and Allegations
Alongside the drug trafficking charges, Wedding is accused of orchestrating the murder of a federal witness in Colombia in early 2025 and ordering retaliatory attacks linked to stolen drug shipments in Canada. The unsealed indictment from June 2024 charged him with operating a continuing criminal enterprise, alongside other serious offenses.
The case against Wedding not only highlights the evolving intersection of cryptocurrencies and criminal activities but also the challenges faced by law enforcement in tracking and prosecuting such complex networks.
The FBI arrests serve as a stark reminder of the potential misuse of digital currencies in facilitating illegal enterprises on a global scale.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not intended as legal or financial advice.
