Ryan Wedding, a former Canadian Olympian, is being sought in connection with a double murder in Ontario and his involvement in a drug trafficking network that operates across multiple countries. CTV News
Authorities are on the lookout for Ryan James Wedding, a former Canadian Olympic snowboarder, wanted in connection with a shocking double homicide in Caledon, Ontario. This high-profile case involves allegations that Wedding is the leader of a drug trafficking organization operating across four countries and that he orchestrated the killings of a couple in November 2023.
Wedding, who represented Canada in the 2002 Winter Olympics, is accused of directing the murders of Jagtar Singh Sidhu, 57, and his wife, Harbhajan Kaur Sidhu, 55. Their daughter, Jaspreet Kaur Sidhu, 28, survived the attack. According to U.S. Department of Justice officials, the murders were allegedly carried out as retaliation for a stolen drug shipment that had travelled through Southern California.
During a press conference in Los Angeles, Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Deputy Commissioner Marty Kearns emphasized the innocent nature of the victims. “Our investigation has determined that these three victims were mistakenly targeted and were not involved in the alleged trafficking organization,” he said. This tragic incident is believed to be a case of mistaken identity, as police continue to investigate the shooting, which is linked to at least five others that occurred within a short time frame.
Kearns expressed gratitude for the cooperation among law enforcement agencies involved in this case, highlighting how collaborative efforts have helped uncover vital information. "It is truly a testament to how collaboration and investigative diligence across multiple borders has successfully identified those responsible for these horrific crimes," he remarked.
Detective Inspector Brian McDermott from the OPP spoke about the investigation’s progress, revealing that the OPP began working closely with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) earlier this year after receiving intelligence regarding the murders. He stated, “We respect and value all of our relationships, and the relationships with our U.S. authorities are equal to that. We will communicate with anybody that can help solve crime and bring people to justice.”
Authorities have now linked Wedding and his associate, Andrew Clark, to a broader transnational drug trafficking operation. Clark was arrested in Mexico on October 8, while Wedding remains at large. In addition to the double homicide in Caledon, both men are connected to another murder that took place in Mississauga in May 2024, allegedly due to a drug debt.
A photo of 43-year-old Ryan Wedding, a former Canadian Olympic snowboarder who is currently on the run, is shown in the top left corner. He is among 15 others who face charges for allegedly being involved in a drug trafficking operation that spans multiple countries. This image was presented during a news conference at the FBI's offices in Los Angeles on Thursday, October 17, 2024. AP Photo
Peel police are jointly investigating these violent crimes alongside the OPP. Deputy Chief Nick Milinovich stated, “These tragic cases reflect the violence tied to transnational and organized crime and the trafficking of illicit drugs and the firearms that are used to affect that business.”
On the same day, law enforcement revealed that Wedding, who is also known by several aliases, is the lead defendant in a newly unsealed indictment accusing him and 15 others of participating in a major drug trafficking operation. More than a ton of cocaine, several firearms, and large amounts of cash and cryptocurrency were seized during the investigation, underscoring the scale of this illegal operation.
The indictment outlines how Wedding and Clark's network shipped cocaine from Colombia through Mexico and into Canada and the U.S. Peel police have also arrested two Ontario residents believed to have played key roles in the Canadian side of the trafficking operation.
U.S. District Attorney Martin Estrada described the operation as “very sophisticated,” requiring extensive investigative work to link the violent crimes to Wedding and his organization. The FBI is currently offering a reward of up to $50,000 for any information leading to Wedding’s arrest.
