ASIA (dpa): Former Olympic snowboarder Ryan Wedding, listed as one of the FBI's 10 most-wanted criminals, has been arrested in Mexico, US authorities confirmed on Friday.
The arrest was announced by Attorney General Pamela Bondi and FBI Director Kash Patel on the social media platform X.
The operation was carried out through successful cooperation with international partners and the Mexican government, Patel said at a press conference.
Wedding, a Canadian national, is accused of running a transnational drug trafficking ring and allegedly ordering multiple murders to protect and expand his operations.
Authorities had offered a reward of $15 million for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the 44-year-old.
"Wedding was flown to the United States where he will face justice," Bondi wrote, adding that his arrest reflects the Trump administration's emphasis on law and order.
According to Patel, Wedding had been hiding in Mexico for more than a decade. His organization allegedly transported hundreds of kilograms of cocaine from Colombia through Mexico to the US and Canada.
"This is a huge day for a safer North America, and the world, and a message that those who break our laws and harm our citizens will be brought to justice," Patel said.
Wedding competed for Canada in the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, finishing 24th in the parallel giant slalom. -- dpa
