The U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has imposed sanctions on Ryan James Wedding, a former Canadian Olympic snowboarder now listed among the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted Fugitives. Alongside Wedding, nine individuals and nine entities closely associated with him have also been sanctioned.
According to authorities, Wedding is accused of leading a violent criminal organization responsible for drug trafficking and numerous murders, including those of U.S. citizens. He is currently believed to be in hiding in Mexico, where he continues to direct illicit activities.
“Today we’re exposing the network of associates and enablers behind Ryan Wedding — one of the most notorious criminals and narcotraffickers still evading justice,” said Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence John K. Hurley. “Treasury is joining with the FBI and the Department of Justice to cut Wedding and his criminal partners off from the U.S. financial system and help dismantle the network they rely on. Our goal is simple: make it difficult for criminals like this to profit from poisoning our communities.”
In coordination with OFAC’s action, indictments are being issued by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California against Wedding and his associates. The Treasury also worked with Mexico’s financial intelligence unit, Unidad de Inteligencia Financiera (UIF), as part of this effort. Additionally, the Department of State has increased its reward offer for information leading to Wedding's arrest or conviction from $10 million up to $15 million.
Authorities state that Wedding trafficked large quantities of cocaine through Colombia and Mexico into both Canada and the United States using sophisticated methods, including cryptocurrency transactions to launder proceeds from these operations.
Several key associates were named as enabling his activities:
- Edgar Aaron Vazquez Alvarado (“the General”), reportedly a former Mexican law enforcement officer who provided protection within Mexico.
- Miryam Andrea Castillo Moreno (Wedding’s wife), alleged to have laundered drug proceeds.
- Carmen Yelinet Valoyes Florez, said to operate a prostitution ring in Mexico while assisting in violent acts.
- Daniela Alejandra Acuna Macias (Wedding's girlfriend), who allegedly collected money on his behalf.
- Deepak Balwant Paradkar, a Canadian attorney accused by authorities of providing illegal services beyond normal legal representation.
The sanctioned entities include companies owned or controlled by these individuals across North America and Europe.
Authorities further allege that profits were laundered through an international network managed primarily by Canadian jeweler Rolan Sokolovski—whose business "Diamond Tsar" operates out of Toronto—and Gianluca Tiepolo, a former Italian special forces member involved in luxury vehicle trading businesses based in Italy and the UK.
Other designated individuals include Cristian Diana (Italy) and John Anthony Fallon (UK), both business associates involved in managing assets linked to these operations.
Under Executive Order 14059, all property belonging to these designated persons within U.S. jurisdiction is blocked; Americans are generally prohibited from engaging in transactions involving them without specific authorization from OFAC. Entities majority-owned by sanctioned persons are also subject to blocking measures.
Violations can result in civil or criminal penalties under strict liability standards set forth by OFAC regulations; financial institutions engaging with designated persons may face additional risks related to sanctions compliance.
OFAC notes that while its sanctioning power allows it both to designate individuals/entities as well as remove them if circumstances change according to legal guidelines: “The ultimate goal of sanctions is not to punish, but to bring about a positive change in behavior.”
Further details regarding today’s designations can be found via official channels provided by OFAC.
