Ryan Wedding, age 44.

By Joe Lombardi From Daily Voice

Ten people have been arrested in connection with the case of a former Olympic athlete once celebrated for his athletic achievements, who is now at large and accused of masterminding a violent, globe-spanning drug empire.

Ex-Olympian snowboarder Ryan James Wedding, age 44, a Canadian national, landed on the FBI’s 10 Most Wanted Fugitives list earlier this year.

Authorities say Wedding, known by monikers such as “Giant,” “Public Enemy,” and “El Jefe,” oversaw a criminal enterprise that trafficked tons of cocaine from Colombia through Mexico and into US communities. 

The following individuals were arrested Tuesday, Nov. 18, in connection to the case known by the Department of Justice as “Operation Giant Slalom”:

  • Deepak Balwant Paradkar, 62, Thornhill, Ontario, Canada
  • Atna Ohna, 40, Laval, Québec, Canada
  • Gursewak Singh Bal, 31, Mississauga, Ontario, Canada
  • Allistair Chapman, 33, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
  • Ahmad Nabil Zitoun, 35, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
  • Carmen Yelinet Valoyes Florez, 47, Bogotá, Colombia
  • Yulieth Katherine Tejada, 36, Orlando, Florida
  • Edwin Basora-Hernandez, 31, Montréal
  • Wilson Riascos, 45, Cali, Colombia
  • Rolan Sokolovski, 37, Toronto

The indictment also charges 18 additional defendants, including a Canadian criminal barrister, a reggaeton musician, and a website operator accused of helping Wedding locate the murder victim.

Prosecutors allege Wedding ordered the murder of a federal witness in Colombia on Friday, Jan. 31, as well as the November 2023 killings of two family members in Ontario, Canada, in retaliation for a stolen drug shipment.

Wedding, who stands 6-foot-3 and weighs about 240 pounds, was born in Thunder Bay, Canada, and is believed to be hiding in Mexico. 

Investigators have not ruled out his presence in the United States, Canada, Colombia, or Central America. The FBI is offering a $15 million reward for information leading to his arrest and/or prosecution.

“Whether you’re a kingpin or a dealer on the street, anyone who sells drugs to our kids will be arrested and prosecuted,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. “Ryan Wedding controls one of the most prolific and violent drug trafficking organizations in this world and works closely with the Sinaloa Cartel. We will not rest until his name is taken off the FBI’s Top 10 Most Wanted List, and his narco-trafficking organization lies dismantled.”

Authorities say Wedding’s organization used violence and intimidation to protect its interests, including placing bounties on witnesses. 

“The murder of a witness in Colombia earlier this year was a cruel, cold-blooded act that could not and did not go unanswered,” said First Assistant United States Attorney Bill Essayli.

Anyone with information about Wedding’s whereabouts is urged to contact the FBI via WhatsApp, Signal, or Telegram at +1-424-495-0614, or submit a tip online at tips.fbi.gov. Confidentiality is guaranteed.

Check back to Daily Voice for updates.

Check back to Daily Voice for updates.