$10 Million Manhunt: The Global Pursuit of Fugitive Ryan James Wedding
Interpol’s Priority Target Linked to Mexican Cartel, Fraud Networks, and Money Laundering Rings Across the Americas

VANCOUVER, B.C. — A sweeping international search is intensifying for Ryan James Wedding, a Canadian national and alleged criminal mastermind linked to transnational organized crime, including drug trafficking, money laundering, and high-level fraud.
In a rare move, U.S. authorities announced a $10 million reward for information leading to his arrest and conviction. This placed Wedding among the most wanted international fugitives, alongside names like Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán and Jho Low.
Federal investigators believe Wedding is not only a key financier within a powerful criminal syndicate tied to the Sinaloa Cartel, but also the architect of a wide-ranging financial crimes network stretching from Mexico to Dubai, Vancouver to the Cayman Islands.
Who is Ryan James Wedding?
Once a respected businessman and athlete, Wedding’s transformation into a cartel-linked fugitive has shocked many who knew him. Born in Canada, he rose as a competitive snowboarder before pivoting into finance and international business.
According to authorities, Wedding exploited this seemingly clean image to hide massive criminal operations involving shell companies, offshore accounts, and narcotics logistics.
Known by several aliases—including “El Jefe,” “The Giant,” and “Public Enemy”—Wedding is said to command loyalty through intimidation, leveraging cartel enforcers and professional fixers to erase digital trails, threaten witnesses, and relocate assets globally.
“This individual is not simply evading justice—he is actively undermining financial systems and public safety,” said a U.S. Department of Justice spokesperson. “He has operated with impunity for far too long. That ends now.”
From Businessman to Public Enemy
Court documents and investigative reports reveal that Wedding allegedly worked with cartel operatives and complicit financial advisers to launder tens of millions of dollars from drug profits through legitimate-seeming ventures.
Among the key allegations:
- Creation of fraudulent business contracts for loans and credit enhancement
- Issuance of false standby letters of credit (SBLCs) used in cross-border scams
- Establishing dummy corporations across tax havens in Panama, Belize, and the British Virgin Islands
- Use of cryptocurrency tumblers to obscure illicit transaction trails
- Alleged involvement in weapon and fentanyl precursor smuggling via maritime routes
He is now wanted in connection with at least 18 federal indictments, including drug conspiracy, financial fraud, money laundering, wire fraud, obstruction of justice, and racketeering.
Safe Havens and Identity Evasion
Intelligence officials believe Wedding has used false passports and stolen identities to cross borders undetected. He reportedly underwent facial plastic surgery in Eastern Europe. He may reside in Dubai, Panama, or Malaysia, though his movements have also been traced through Colombia, Peru, and the Philippines.
“Weddings uses the same playbook as the world’s most elusive criminals,” said an Interpol analyst. “Shell companies, clean passports, cyber anonymity, encrypted phones, and frontmen. But what sets him apart is how methodically he applies them, like a ghost playing chess on three continents simultaneously.”
Cartel Ties and Violence
The criminal operation of a wedding is not a solo enterprise. Authorities claim he is closely aligned with a Mexican cartel, likely operating as their financial logistics officer. He allegedly manages cross-border wire transfers, laundering proceeds through casinos, and offshore gold exchanges.
According to court documents, multiple violent incidents, including attempted murders of witnesses and attacks on government agents, have been linked to his associates.
A DEA source, speaking anonymously, stated:
“Weddings controls money. That makes him more dangerous than a drug runner with a gun. He has the power to destabilize markets and fund violence on a global scale.”
Reward and Red Notice
The U.S. Department of State, under its Transnational Organized Crime Rewards Program, has authorized a reward of up to USD 10 million for information leading to Wedding’s capture.
A Red Notice issued by Interpol is currently active, urging law enforcement agencies in over 190 countries to arrest Wedding on sight. He remains a top target of the FBI’s Transnational Organized Crime Task Force and is classified as an international flight risk with high-level connections.
WANTED:
Name: Ryan James Wedding
Aliases: “The Giant,” “El Jefe,” “Public Enemy”
Last Known Locations: Mexico, Dubai, Panama, Eastern Europe
Reward: Up to USD 10 million
Charges: Drug Trafficking, Wire Fraud, Money Laundering, Racketeering, Identity Fraud, Obstruction of Justice
Case Studies: Real Damage from Wedding’s Alleged Crimes
Case Study 1: Vancouver-Based Import Firm Collapse
A legitimate freight forwarding company unknowingly engaged Wedding’s network to issue SBLCs and guarantee trade contracts. After the contracts were revealed to be fraudulent, the firm collapsed under regulatory scrutiny, laying off over 60 employees and losing $12 million in assets.
Case Study 2: Panama Bank Investigation
Weddings’ use of shell firms in Panama was uncovered after irregular wire transfers triggered compliance alerts. One mid-level compliance officer was later found dead under suspicious circumstances. His widow has since testified that the officer was threatened after flagging $45 million in suspicious activity linked to Wedding’s network.
Case Study 3: Crypto Tumbling Network
A whistleblower in the Philippines revealed how Wedding’s team used digital wallets and coin mixers to launder cartel funds. After cooperating with U.S. agents, the whistleblower entered a witness protection program under an emergency legal identity change coordinated by authorities.
The Path Forward
With the reward now at $10 million and global attention mounting, experts believe the arrest of the wedding may be imminent—but only if pressure is maintained and international cooperation intensifies.
How the Public Can Help
Individuals with information can submit tips via:
- Email: TOC@state.gov
- FBI Tip Line: https://tips.fbi.gov
- Interpol Contact Form: www.interpol.int/Contact
Confidentiality is guaranteed. The reward applies to information provided anywhere in the world.
A Final Warning
Amicus International Consulting, a global expert in legal identity solutions and transnational crime analysis, cautions that Wedding’s case highlights how criminals abuse legal loopholes to disappear.
“Cases like Ryan James Wedding’s are exactly why legal identity reform is necessary,” said an Amicus spokesperson. “We help governments and private clients understand the difference between legal second citizenship and the criminal misuse of identity for fraud or flight.”
As part of its continuing mission to safeguard legal identity integrity, Amicus International Consulting works with legal entities, financial institutions, and human rights organizations to prevent identity manipulation and support legitimate identity change for at-risk individuals.

📞 Contact Information
Phone: +1 (604) 200-5402
Email: info@amicusint.ca
Website: www.amicusint.ca