Ryan Wedding Drug Trafficking and Murder Charges
Former Canadian Olympic snowboarder Ryan Wedding, accused of leading a large drug trafficking network, was arrested in Mexico on January 23, 2026, and transported to the United States, facing charges including cocaine trafficking and murder conspiracy. As of June 25, 2026, court documents unsealed on June 24, 2026, reveal evidence from a Toronto gang war linking Wedding to a cocaine trafficking operation, allegedly involving the hiring of a hitman, with Wedding considered a fugitive while co-accused Andrew Clark was arrested in Mexico. The operation is described as one of the most prolific and violent globally, with 36 individuals arrested, over 2,300 kg of cocaine seized, and millions in illicit assets recovered. A Toronto-area lawyer accused of advising Wedding on the murder of a federal witness was allowed to remain free on bail in early June 2026, despite Crown attempts to revoke it.
Timeline
Want updates on this thread?
Track this storyTimeline of developments
June 2026 — 3 developments
Ryan Wedding allegedly hired hitman, linked to Toronto gang war in new court documents
Court documents unsealed on June 24, 2026, reveal that a Toronto gang war provided evidence linking Ryan Wedding to a cocaine trafficking operation, allegedly involving the hiring of a hitman. Wedding, a former Olympic snowboarder, and Andrew Clark are accused of shipping hundreds of kilograms of cocaine from Colombia through Mexico, the U.S., and Canada. Clark was arrested in Mexico, while Wedding is considered a fugitive.
Lawyer accused in Ryan Wedding case remains free on bail after appeal court ruling
A Toronto-area lawyer accused of advising Ryan Wedding on the murder of a federal witness and introducing him to drug traffickers has been allowed to remain free on bail. The Ontario Court of Appeal upheld this decision in early June 2026, rejecting the Crown's attempt to revoke the lawyer's bail.
Former Olympic Snowboarder Ryan Wedding Arrested in Mexico on Drug Trafficking Charges
Former Canadian Olympic snowboarder Ryan Wedding, accused of leading a large drug trafficking network, was arrested in Mexico on January 23, 2026, and transported to the United States. Authorities report that 36 individuals have been arrested in connection with his alleged operation, which is described as one of the most prolific and violent drug-trafficking organizations globally. The investigation has also led to the seizure of over 2,300 kg of cocaine and millions in illicit assets.
April 2026 — 1 developments
Alistair Chapman's bail review for alleged role in FBI informant killing set for May 2026
A bail review for Allistair Chapman, accused of helping arrange the killing of an FBI informant, is scheduled for May 2026. Another man accused of assisting Ryan Wedding in a similar capacity was granted bail in March 2026.
March 2026 — 2 developments
Edmonton man Ahmad Nabil Zitoun granted bail awaiting US extradition in drug cartel case
An Edmonton man, Ahmad Nabil Zitoun, has been granted bail while awaiting extradition to the U.S. in connection with the Ryan Wedding drug cartel case. Zitoun faces charges in the U.S. including conspiracy to commit murder and conspiracy to tamper with a witness, accused of helping the organization locate a federal witness.
Police Corruption Suspect Linked to Ryan Wedding's Drug Network
New details have emerged linking Ryan Wedding's alleged drug trafficking network to a Toronto police corruption scandal. Brian Da Costa, a suspect in the corruption case, has been connected to Gurpreet Singh, identified by U.S. prosecutors as a key cross-border smuggler for Wedding's cocaine operation. This connection establishes the clearest link yet between the police scandal and Wedding's network, which is also linked to the Sinaloa and Jalisco cartels.
February 2026 — 7 developments
Rolan Sokolovski denied bail in cocaine-trafficking conspiracy case
Rolan Sokolovski, identified as Ryan Wedding's chief money launderer, has been denied bail as he faces extradition to California on cocaine-trafficking conspiracy charges. Separately, Allistair Chapman is accused of helping arrange the killing of an informant by providing their photo online. Wedding's lawyer denies that Wedding provided information leading to the death of drug lord El Mencho.
Allistair Chapman and Rolan Sokolovski Denied Bail in Money Laundering Case
Allistair Chapman and Rolan Sokolovski, accused of laundering money for alleged drug kingpin Ryan Wedding, have been denied bail. Chapman faces extradition to the U.S. on cocaine trafficking charges and for allegedly helping arrange the killing of an FBI informant. New accusations also detail lawyer Deepak Paradkar advising Wedding's group to kill an informant to collapse the case.
Ryan Wedding hired Escobar associates to track cellphones, kidnap FBI informant
New evidence indicates that alleged drug kingpin Ryan Wedding hired a group associated with Pablo Escobar to track cellphones and kidnap an FBI informant. Wedding's network is also accused of shipping 60 tons of cocaine annually and is linked to numerous murders.
Ryan Wedding pleads not guilty to multiple charges in Santa Ana court
Ryan Wedding pleaded not guilty to multiple charges during his first court appearance in Santa Ana, California. Uncertainty surrounds how Wedding ended up in police custody, with court records suggesting that Andrew Clark helped the authorities after Wedding's arrest.
Tommy Demorizi arrested at Newark Airport on drug charges, linked to Ryan Wedding organization
Tommy Demorizi, a Montreal man wanted in connection with alleged Canadian drug lord Ryan Wedding's organization, has been arrested at Newark International Airport. Demorizi faces several drug-related charges, including conspiracy. Ryan Wedding himself was arrested in Mexico in January after a decade on the run and faces 17 charges related to murder and drug trafficking.
Allistair Chapman seeks bail while facing extradition for alleged role in informant's killing
Allistair Chapman, who faces extradition to California on charges related to alleged drug kingpin Ryan Wedding's organization, is seeking bail. Chapman is accused of helping arrange the killing of a government informant by providing the informant's photo to a co-accused to be posted online.
Former Olympic Snowboarder Ryan Wedding Accused of Orchestrating Four Murders and Drug Trafficking
Ryan Wedding, a former Olympic snowboarder accused of leading a major drug trafficking network, is alleged to have orchestrated four murders, three of which occurred in Canada. His organization is also accused of moving tonnes of cocaine and methamphetamine.
January 2026 — 8 developments
Former Olympian Ryan Wedding to remain in U.S. custody without bond after not guilty plea
Following his not guilty plea to 17 felony charges, former Olympian Ryan Wedding will remain in U.S. custody without bond.
Former Olympic Snowboarder Ryan Wedding Pleads Not Guilty to U.S. Drug Charges
Former Olympic snowboarder Ryan Wedding pleaded not guilty to U.S. drug charges in a federal court in Santa Ana, California.
Toronto man pleads guilty to cocaine smuggling charges linked to Ryan Wedding's drug network
Rakhim Ibragimov has pleaded guilty in the U.S. to conspiring to smuggle cocaine for a drug network allegedly linked to former Canadian Olympic snowboarder Ryan Wedding. Ibragimov was apprehended in April 2024 in California while attempting to pick up 375 kilograms of cocaine intended for transport to Canada.
Former Olympic Snowboarder Ryan Wedding Extradited to US, Pleads Not Guilty to Drug Trafficking and Murder Charges
Former Olympic snowboarder Ryan Wedding, an alleged drug kingpin, was arrested in Mexico and extradited to the U.S. He pleaded not guilty to charges including running a billion-dollar drug trafficking ring and orchestrating multiple killings. New accusations detail his alleged involvement in ordering the murder of a witness, with a $15 million reward offered for information leading to his arrest.
Ryan Wedding's organization imported 60 metric tons of cocaine annually into Los Angeles from Mexico
Authorities allege that Ryan Wedding's organization imported approximately 60 metric tons of cocaine annually into Los Angeles from Mexico. He had reportedly been hiding in Mexico for over a decade before his capture.
U.S. authorities allege former Olympic snowboarder Ryan Wedding used crypto for drug trafficking
U.S. authorities allege that former Olympic snowboarder Ryan Wedding extensively used cryptocurrencies and stablecoins for drug-related transactions and money laundering within his transnational drug trafficking organization.
Former Canadian Olympic Snowboarder Ryan Wedding Arrested in Mexico City, Now in US Custody
Former Canadian Olympic snowboarder Ryan Wedding, an alleged drug kingpin and FBI Most Wanted fugitive, has been arrested in Mexico City and is now in US custody. US Attorney General Pam Bondi and FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed his custody.
Jeweller Rolan Sokolovski faces bail hearing in Toronto for alleged money laundering for drug ring
A bail hearing was held in Toronto for Rolan Sokolovski, a jeweller accused of laundering hundreds of millions of dollars for Wedding's drug smuggling ring and acting as its 'de facto bank.' The judge is set to deliver a ruling on February 20.
November 2025 — 4 developments
RCMP Commissioner Michael Duheme states Ryan Wedding remains a top threat to Canadian public safety
Seven Canadians have been arrested for extradition to the United States in connection with the drug trafficking probe involving former Olympian Ryan Wedding. RCMP Commissioner Michael Duheme stated that Wedding remains a top threat to Canadian public safety.
Former Olympian Ryan Wedding arrested in Mexico on drug trafficking and murder charges
New federal charges were filed against former Olympian Ryan Wedding in November 2025 for his alleged role in a massive drug ring, with authorities stating he is extremely violent and protected by powerful Mexican cartels. Wedding was arrested in Mexico City on January 23, 2026, and subsequently pleaded not guilty to multiple charges in California, including murder and drug trafficking.
OFAC sanctions Ryan Wedding and nine associated individuals and entities
The U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) sanctioned Ryan Wedding, along with nine individuals and nine entities associated with him, on November 19, 2025.
US Treasury sanctions Wedding and associates; 10 arrested in 'Operation Giant Slalom'
Ten defendants were arrested as part of 'Operation Giant Slalom,' a coordinated law enforcement action against Wedding's network. The U.S. Department of the Treasury also sanctioned Wedding and several associates and entities.
January 2025 — 1 developments
Wedding Accused of Ordering Murder of Federal Witness in Medellín
Wedding is accused of ordering the murder of a federal witness in Medellín, Colombia.
October 2024 — 1 developments
DOJ charges Wedding and 15 others with leading transnational drug trafficking and multiple murders
The U.S. Department of Justice charged Wedding and 15 other defendants in a superseding indictment, alleging they ran a transnational drug trafficking operation and orchestrated multiple murders. Wedding was charged with leading a continuing criminal enterprise, murder, and conspiring to possess, distribute, and export cocaine.
November 2023 — 1 developments
Wedding and Clark Accused of Directing Murders in Caledon Over Stolen Drug Shipment
Wedding and his alleged second-in-command, Andrew Clark, are accused of directing the murders of two family members in Caledon, Ontario, in retaliation for a stolen drug shipment.
November 2009 — 1 developments
Wedding sentenced to 48 months in federal prison for cocaine conspiracy
Wedding was found guilty of conspiracy to distribute cocaine and sentenced to 48 months in U.S. federal prison. He was released in 2011.
June 2008 — 1 developments
Ryan Wedding arrested for attempting to buy cocaine from U.S. government agent
Ryan Wedding was arrested in the U.S. for attempting to buy cocaine from a U.S. government agent.