At a Glance
- Mexican police seized dozens of high-powered motorcycles worth $40 million.
- The bikes are believed to belong to Canadian fugitive Ryan Wedding, a top drug trafficker on the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted list.
- Authorities also seized two vehicles, artwork, Olympic medals, drugs and other items at four locations in Mexico City.
- Why it matters: The seizure signals a major blow to a cartel-protected drug kingpin operating in Mexico.
Mexican authorities have taken control of a cache of high-powered motorcycles that prosecutors say belong to Ryan Wedding, a 44-year-old Canadian fugitive and one of the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted list. The seizure, part of a joint operation with the LAPD and the RCMP, also uncovered vehicles, artwork, Olympic medals, drugs and other items at four sites in Mexico City. The find comes as Wedding remains a key figure in an international drug trafficking network linked to the Sinaloa cartel.
Seizure Details
Police seized dozens of motorcycles, each worth an estimated $40 million, in a coordinated effort with the LAPD and the RCMP. Photographs of the bikes were released, though officials have not disclosed the exact location of the seizure.
- Dozens of high-powered motorcycles
- Two vehicles
- Artwork
- Olympic medals
- Drugs
- Other items
Background on Ryan Wedding
Wedding represented Canada in the 2002 Winter Olympics, placing 24th in the men’s giant parallel slalom, but never earned a medal. He is believed to be hiding in Mexico under the protection of the Sinaloa cartel, and the U.S. Department of Justice has increased the reward for information leading to his arrest to $15 million. Wedding’s organization is said to import roughly 60 metric tons of cocaine annually into Los Angeles, making him the largest distributor of cocaine in Canada.
FBI Director Kash Patel stated:
> “The seizure is a significant blow to a cartel-protected drug kingpin.”
Timeline of Wedding’s Criminal Career
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 2008 | Began drug trafficking, bought cocaine in San Diego |
| 2011 | Released from prison after conviction for conspiracy to distribute cocaine |
| 2023 | Seizure of motorcycles and other assets in Mexico City |
Key Takeaways
- Mexican police seized $40 million worth of motorcycles linked to fugitive Ryan Wedding.
- Wedding remains a top drug trafficker on the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted list, protected by the Sinaloa cartel.
- The seizure includes vehicles, artwork, Olympic medals, drugs and other items, underscoring the scale of his operation.
The operation demonstrates the reach of Mexican law enforcement in targeting high-value assets tied to international crime. It also highlights the ongoing collaboration between U.S. and Mexican agencies in dismantling drug trafficking networks.
