Former Olympic Snowboarder Charged in Witness Murder Amidst Drug Trafficking Allegations
In This Article
HIGHLIGHTS
- Former Olympic snowboarder Ryan Wedding, now a drug kingpin, is charged with the murder of a federal witness, Jonathan Acebedo-Garcia, in Colombia.
- The US justice department has increased the reward for Wedding's capture from $10 million to $15 million, labeling him a "modern-day Pablo Escobar."
- Wedding's organization, allegedly protected by the Sinaloa cartel, is a major cocaine supplier to Canada, generating over $1 billion annually.
- Canadian lawyer Deepak Paradkar is accused of advising Wedding to murder the witness to avoid extradition, with several arrests made across North America.
- The FBI continues to seek additional suspects involved in the murder, including the shooter and accomplices.
In a dramatic turn of events, Ryan Wedding, a former Canadian Olympic snowboarder, has been charged with orchestrating the murder of a federal witness, Jonathan Acebedo-Garcia, in Colombia. The US justice department has intensified its efforts to capture Wedding, raising the reward for his arrest from $10 million to $15 million, and likening him to notorious drug lords such as Pablo Escobar and El Chapo Guzmán.
Allegations and Arrests
Wedding, known by aliases such as "El Jefe" and "Public Enemy," is accused of leading a vast drug trafficking network that transports cocaine from Colombia through Mexico and into Canada. US Attorney General Pam Bondi announced the charges, emphasizing the violent nature of Wedding's organization. The FBI believes Wedding is currently residing in Mexico under the protection of the Sinaloa cartel.
The case against Wedding has led to a series of arrests, including that of Deepak Paradkar, a Canadian lawyer accused of advising Wedding to eliminate the witness to prevent extradition. Paradkar allegedly received luxury items as payment for his services. In addition, seven Canadians linked to the cartel were apprehended in Quebec, Ontario, and Alberta, facing charges of conspiracy to commit murder and drug trafficking.
The Murder of Jonathan Acebedo-Garcia
The murder of Jonathan Acebedo-Garcia, a Canadian citizen and former member of Wedding's organization, occurred in a Medellin restaurant in January. Authorities allege that Wedding facilitated the murder by posting the witness's photo on a now-defunct website, The Dirty Newz, offering a bounty for his location. The FBI continues to search for the shooter and other accomplices involved in the crime.
A Notorious Criminal Enterprise
Wedding's criminal activities have been under scrutiny since his involvement in a marijuana-growing operation in British Columbia in 2006. Despite a previous conviction for drug trafficking in 2010, Wedding has since risen to become a formidable figure in the international narcotics trade. His organization is believed to generate over $1 billion annually, making it one of the largest cocaine suppliers to Canada.
WHAT THIS MIGHT MEAN
The charges against Ryan Wedding mark a significant escalation in the US and Canadian authorities' efforts to dismantle his drug trafficking empire. If captured, Wedding faces severe legal consequences, including potential life imprisonment. The ongoing investigation may lead to further arrests and charges against individuals within his network. As law enforcement agencies intensify their crackdown on international drug cartels, the case underscores the persistent challenges in combating transnational organized crime.
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Former Olympic Snowboarder Charged in Witness Murder Amidst Drug Trafficking Allegations
In This Article
Sofia Romano| Published HIGHLIGHTS
- Former Olympic snowboarder Ryan Wedding, now a drug kingpin, is charged with the murder of a federal witness, Jonathan Acebedo-Garcia, in Colombia.
- The US justice department has increased the reward for Wedding's capture from $10 million to $15 million, labeling him a "modern-day Pablo Escobar."
- Wedding's organization, allegedly protected by the Sinaloa cartel, is a major cocaine supplier to Canada, generating over $1 billion annually.
- Canadian lawyer Deepak Paradkar is accused of advising Wedding to murder the witness to avoid extradition, with several arrests made across North America.
- The FBI continues to seek additional suspects involved in the murder, including the shooter and accomplices.
In a dramatic turn of events, Ryan Wedding, a former Canadian Olympic snowboarder, has been charged with orchestrating the murder of a federal witness, Jonathan Acebedo-Garcia, in Colombia. The US justice department has intensified its efforts to capture Wedding, raising the reward for his arrest from $10 million to $15 million, and likening him to notorious drug lords such as Pablo Escobar and El Chapo Guzmán.
Allegations and Arrests
Wedding, known by aliases such as "El Jefe" and "Public Enemy," is accused of leading a vast drug trafficking network that transports cocaine from Colombia through Mexico and into Canada. US Attorney General Pam Bondi announced the charges, emphasizing the violent nature of Wedding's organization. The FBI believes Wedding is currently residing in Mexico under the protection of the Sinaloa cartel.
The case against Wedding has led to a series of arrests, including that of Deepak Paradkar, a Canadian lawyer accused of advising Wedding to eliminate the witness to prevent extradition. Paradkar allegedly received luxury items as payment for his services. In addition, seven Canadians linked to the cartel were apprehended in Quebec, Ontario, and Alberta, facing charges of conspiracy to commit murder and drug trafficking.
The Murder of Jonathan Acebedo-Garcia
The murder of Jonathan Acebedo-Garcia, a Canadian citizen and former member of Wedding's organization, occurred in a Medellin restaurant in January. Authorities allege that Wedding facilitated the murder by posting the witness's photo on a now-defunct website, The Dirty Newz, offering a bounty for his location. The FBI continues to search for the shooter and other accomplices involved in the crime.
A Notorious Criminal Enterprise
Wedding's criminal activities have been under scrutiny since his involvement in a marijuana-growing operation in British Columbia in 2006. Despite a previous conviction for drug trafficking in 2010, Wedding has since risen to become a formidable figure in the international narcotics trade. His organization is believed to generate over $1 billion annually, making it one of the largest cocaine suppliers to Canada.
WHAT THIS MIGHT MEAN
The charges against Ryan Wedding mark a significant escalation in the US and Canadian authorities' efforts to dismantle his drug trafficking empire. If captured, Wedding faces severe legal consequences, including potential life imprisonment. The ongoing investigation may lead to further arrests and charges against individuals within his network. As law enforcement agencies intensify their crackdown on international drug cartels, the case underscores the persistent challenges in combating transnational organized crime.
Images from the Web
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