Allegations Surface: Cartel Leader ‘The General’ Gave Ryan Wedding Fake Police ID to Escape Law Enforcement

Ryan Wedding: The Olympic Snowboarder Turned Fugitive

Ryan Wedding, a former Canadian Olympic snowboarder, has eluded authorities in Mexico for nearly a decade, with new U.S. federal charges shedding light on the alleged support he received from organized crime figures.

Details of the Indictment

On Tuesday, a grand jury indictment unsealed in Los Angeles revealed that Edgar Aaron Vazquez Alvarado, a cartel leader, allegedly provided Wedding and his associates with a code word that facilitated the transport of cocaine, allowing them to bypass police checkpoints. This code word reportedly changed daily.

Furthermore, Vazquez is accused of issuing fraudulent law enforcement credentials that enabled Wedding and his co-conspirators to move through security without hindrance. However, this assistance came at a steep price.

$500,000 Entry Fee

According to U.S. prosecutors, Vazquez charged Wedding a hefty initiation fee of $500,000 to gain admittance into a circle of organized crime leaders, along with an average monthly fee of $100,000 for ongoing protection and information.

Omar García Harfuch, Mexico’s Security Minister, confirmed last week that Vazquez, known as “The General,” was fatally shot during a confrontation with security forces.

Impact of Corruption

In connection with the case, U.S. authorities have also charged a Mexican judge, Luis Benitez Alcantara, for allegedly accepting a bribe of $2 million to release Wedding’s right-hand man from custody. This judge was previously tied to Wedding when the U.S. Treasury Department imposed sanctions against him last year.

The Arrest and Its Implications

Ryan Wedding, now 45, is accused of leading a drug trafficking organization that generated annual revenues of around $1 billion. The FBI indicated he fled to Mexico in 2015 as criminal charges mounted in Canada.

Wedding, also referred to as Public Enemy, was arrested in Mexico this January and is currently in U.S. custody, facing numerous charges related to drug trafficking and murder. He is scheduled for trial in Los Angeles next year.

Additional Accomplices and Cartel Connections

The U.S. Attorney’s Office also identified Roberto Gomez, a reputed gang member, as another key figure in Wedding’s prolonged evasion of capture. Gomez maintained relationships with leaders of both the Sinaloa and Jalisco New Generation cartels, known for their violent operations and influence.

Reports indicate that during his time on the run, Wedding received protection from the Sinaloa Cartel, co-founded by the notorious Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán. More details about Wedding’s activities and connections are gradually emerging.

Recent Developments

Following the unsealing of the indictment against Vazquez and Gomez, the FBI announced the arrest of an accomplice in Colombia last week, further emphasizing the law enforcement efforts surrounding the Wedding case.

Mexican authorities are also set to auction off a collection of 61 high-performance motorcycles, valued at $40 million, seized from properties associated with Wedding. Additionally, sanctions were placed on firms in Toronto and Vancouver alleged to have aided Wedding in laundering drug profits.

Conclusion

The ongoing saga of Ryan Wedding continues to unfold, revealing the complexities of organized crime and the lengths to which individuals will go to evade law enforcement.