FBI Offers $15 Million Bounty for "Modern Pablo Escobar" – Ex-Olympian Ryan Wedding
- Who Is Ryan Wedding and Why Is the FBI Offering $15 Million for Him?
- How Did Crypto Enable This Global Crime Operation?
- What Was Seized in the 2024-2025 Crackdown?
- Why Did the Reward Jump From $10M to $15M?
- How Is This Case Changing Crypto Regulations?
- Where Is Wedding Now and Can He Be Caught?
- Frequently Asked Questions
In a dramatic escalation of its global manhunt, the FBI has increased its reward to $15 million for information leading to the capture of Ryan Wedding – a former Olympic champion now accused of running a transnational drug empire using cryptocurrency. Dubbed the "21st century Pablo Escobar," Wedding allegedly financed cartel operations across continents while evading authorities through sophisticated crypto laundering schemes. This article breaks down the international investigation, the shadowy role of stablecoins in organized crime, and why this case could reshape crypto regulations worldwide.
Who Is Ryan Wedding and Why Is the FBI Offering $15 Million for Him?
The US Department of Justice has charged Canadian former Olympian Ryan Wedding with leading a criminal syndicate that allegedly moved drugs, weapons, and human trafficking proceeds using cryptocurrency. FBI Director Kash Patel didn't mince words at a November 2025 press conference: "This isn't some small-time operator – we're talking about a man who built a narcotics network rivaling El Chapo's, but with blockchain technology as his weapon of choice."
Wedding reportedly used Tether (USDT) to launder money through a Toronto jewelry store called Diamond Tsar, while allegedly ordering dozens of murders using "military-grade tactics." The FBI's Most Wanted listing warns he's "extremely violent" and may be hiding in Mexico.
How Did Crypto Enable This Global Crime Operation?
Court documents reveal Wedding's network exploited three key crypto advantages:
- Borderless transactions: Moved millions between North America, Europe and Asia in minutes
- Obfuscation tools: Used mixers and shell companies to disguise fund trails
- Traditional bank avoidance: Processed payments through compliant exchanges before cashing out
"This case proves crypto isn't just about decentralization – it's become the lifeblood of transnational crime," noted BTCC market analyst David Lin. "When a stablecoin like USDT gets weaponized, even basic KYC protocols can't always stop determined criminals."
What Was Seized in the 2024-2025 Crackdown?
Authorities made significant hauls across multiple raids:
| Asset | Quantity | Estimated Value |
|---|---|---|
| Crypto (BTC/ETH/USDT) | Multiple wallets | $3.2 million |
| Cocaine | 1 metric ton | $28 million street value |
| Firearms | 3 weapons + ammunition | - |
| Cash | 255,400 USD | - |
The DOJ also froze assets belonging to Wedding's alleged accomplices, including his wife Miryam Castillo Moreno and a Canadian jeweler suspected of money laundering.
Why Did the Reward Jump From $10M to $15M?
Two factors drove the bounty increase:
- Failed capture attempts: The original March 2025 reward yielded tips but no arrest
- Escalating violence: Intel suggests Wedding's network is expanding into human trafficking
"We're dealing with someone who learns from each near-miss," said Treasury official John Hurley. "That $5 million boost isn't just money – it's a psychological game to turn his own people against him."
How Is This Case Changing Crypto Regulations?
The fallout is already reshaping policy:
- New interagency "Scam Center Strike Force" targeting crypto crimes
- Tighter OFAC sanctions on mixing services
- Samourai Wallet founders sentenced to 4-5 years prison
As Treasury pushes for stricter rules, exchanges like BTCC are implementing enhanced transaction monitoring. "The cat-and-mouse game just leveled up," quipped one blockchain investigator who asked to remain anonymous.
Where Is Wedding Now and Can He Be Caught?
Current intelligence places him in Mexico's Sinaloa region – ironically where the original Pablo Escobar operated. But with crypto wallets being harder to trace than suitcases of cash, this tech-savvy fugitive represents a new breed of criminal. As Director Patel warned: "He could be moving millions right now from a beachside laptop while we're standing here."
This article does not constitute investment advice.
Frequently Asked Questions
What crimes is Ryan Wedding accused of?
Wedding faces charges including international drug trafficking, weapons smuggling, money laundering through cryptocurrency, and multiple counts of murder-for-hire.
How was Tether (USDT) used in this case?
Investigators allege Wedding's network used USDT for cross-border transactions due to its price stability and ability to bypass traditional banking channels, particularly through over-the-counter (OTC) crypto desks.
Why is this case significant for crypto regulation?
It demonstrates how stablecoins can be exploited for large-scale criminal operations, likely accelerating global efforts to regulate cryptocurrency transactions more strictly.
Has any reward money been paid out yet?
As of November 2025, the $15 million bounty remains unclaimed despite multiple tips to the FBI's hotline.
