The search for Ryan Wedding, a former Olympic snowboarder turned fugitive, continues as U.S. authorities suspect he may have undergone plastic surgery to evade capture. Wedding, 43, is wanted by the FBI for allegedly leading a cross-border drug trafficking operation that smuggled large quantities of cocaine into Canada and was linked to multiple murders.

The FBI has indicated there is "some evidence" that Wedding altered his appearance while on the run. Laura Eimiller, an FBI spokesperson, stated, "There is some evidence that he may have undergone plastic surgery, as many international fugitives with financial resources are known to do, and so we urge the public to be flexible when considering his appearance."

Wedding is considered "very dangerous" and is believed to be hiding in Mexico, possibly under the protection of cartel members. He is accused of running a billion-dollar drug operation alongside his second-in-command, Andrew Clark, who was arrested last year. The FBI has linked Wedding to four murders in Ontario, including a case of mistaken identity involving an Indian couple.

Investigators have launched a social media campaign in Mexico to gather leads on Wedding's whereabouts, offering a reward of $10 million for information leading to his arrest. The campaign features his image on the FBI's Most Wanted poster, emphasizing the urgency of the search.

Experts suggest that altering one's appearance is a common tactic among fugitives. Michael Arntfield, a criminologist, noted, "Altering one’s appearance has always been a countermeasure that fugitives or wanted parties have reached for." However, modern facial recognition technology complicates this strategy. Sharrona Pearl, a historian, explained that significant structural changes to the face are necessary to evade detection, as minor procedures like nose jobs or eye lifts may not suffice.

Wedding's last confirmed photograph, taken by the FBI in 2024, shows him as a tall, heavyset man with short brown hair and a thick moustache. His appearance has likely changed since then, as he has been on the run since at least 2015, when he was implicated in a drug trafficking investigation known as Operation Harrington.

The investigation revealed Wedding's involvement in a network that imported cocaine from Colombia through Mexico into Canada. He is believed to have fled Canada before authorities could arrest him. The FBI's recent statements suggest that Wedding continues to engage in criminal activities and poses a threat to his adversaries.

In addition to plastic surgery, fugitives often employ various tactics to conceal their identities, such as changing their hairstyles or clothing. Max Langlois, executive director of the Bolo Program, noted that while plastic surgery is not common, it can increase a fugitive's chances of evading arrest.

Wedding's background includes a successful career as a snowboarder, representing Canada in the 2002 Olympics. However, he has since transitioned into a life of crime, allegedly orchestrating violent acts and drug trafficking operations. The FBI's ongoing efforts to locate him highlight the complexities of tracking fugitives who may alter their appearances and utilize sophisticated methods to evade law enforcement.