Former Olympic snowboarder Ryan James Wedding has drawn the attention of law enforcement after being charged with leading an international drug trafficking operation using the Tether cryptocurrency.

Charges Against Former Olympian

Ryan James Wedding and 15 other defendants have been charged with trafficking kilograms of cocaine through Mexico into the United States and Canada. According to the US Attorney’s Office, Central District of California, they used the stablecoin Tether (USDT) for payments by sending QR codes for crypto transfers. Wedding is currently residing in Mexico and was previously charged with similar crimes, including murder and cocaine smuggling. One of his counterparts, Andrew Clark, was arrested on October 8 in Mexico, while Wedding remains a fugitive.

Seizure of Major Drug and Crypto Amounts

During the investigation, law enforcement seized over 1 ton of cocaine, three firearms, and over 10 rounds of ammunition, along with $255,400 in cash. Over $3.2 million in cryptocurrency was also confiscated, making the case particularly notable. In March 2024, Wedding and his group delivered 293 kg of cocaine to representatives of Ratte and Singh for distribution in Canada.

Legal Proceedings and Current Situation

The indictment claims that the former Olympian led a transnational organized crime group engaged in drug trafficking and murder. The FBI has announced a reward of up to $50,000 for information leading to his arrest. The superseding indictment includes 16 counts, depicting Wedding as the leader of a drug cartel.

The case against Ryan James Wedding continues to garner significant attention from global law enforcement. The investigation is ongoing, with Wedding remaining at large and avoiding capture.