The hunt for Ryan Wedding, a former Olympic snowboarder turned alleged drug mastermind, has taken a dramatic new turn.
The FBI recently raised the reward for information leading to his capture to a staggering $15 million, signalling the urgency and gravity of the case.
Wedding, who joined the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list in March, is accused of masterminding a billion-dollar drug smuggling operation while orchestrating multiple murders.
A Growing List of Charges
The former athlete has been a fugitive since October 2024, with authorities initially offering $10 million for his arrest before the reward was increased this week.
On Wednesday, US Attorney General Pam Bondi announced a slew of fresh charges against Wedding.
These include witness tampering, intimidation, murder, money laundering, and drug trafficking—painting a picture of a highly organised criminal enterprise.
Canadian Arrest Shakes Up Investigation
The case gained further momentum after Canadian police detained a key figure linked to the assassination of a crucial FBI witness.
According to La Presse, 40-year-old Atna Onha—known by the nickname “Tupac”—was arrested by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police at the FBI’s request.
Onha is allegedly the leader of a Montreal-based organised crime group with past connections to both the Hells Angels and the Mafia.
The Medellin Connection
This arrest comes almost a year after Jonathan Acebedo-Garcia, 42, was killed in broad daylight in Medellin, Colombia.
Acebedo-Garcia was set to testify against Wedding, making his murder a pivotal event in the investigation.
US authorities believe Wedding orchestrated the killing to protect his sprawling drug network.
Legal Network Under Scrutiny
Alongside the announcement of Onha’s arrest, authorities revealed that GTA defence lawyer Deepak Paradkar had also been taken into custody.
Paradkar is accused of advising Wedding on the murder of Acebedo-Garcia, highlighting the extent to which the criminal network allegedly penetrated the legal system.
FBI and Attorney General Weigh In
FBI Director Kash Patel described Wedding as a “modern-day iteration of Pablo Escobar,” responsible for running a narco-trafficking and narco-terrorism network of unprecedented scale.
Attorney General Bondi added that the former Olympic star “controls one of the most prolific and violent drug trafficking organisations in the world.”
What’s Next?
With the reward increased and new arrests made, the authorities are intensifying efforts to capture Wedding.
Investigators are expected to pursue remaining associates and trace financial networks, while international law enforcement partners, including Canadian and Colombian authorities, continue their coordinated efforts.
The case remains highly fluid, with further developments likely to emerge in the coming weeks.
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