Executive Summary
- Top officials from the U.S. Department of Justice, the FBI, and the RCMP are set to hold a joint news conference on a major criminal case.
- The briefing follows the arrest of Atna Onha in Montreal, who faces murder and cocaine trafficking charges and is linked to the investigation.
- The case centers on fugitive ex-Olympian Ryan Wedding, one of the FBI’s most wanted, who is accused of leading a major drug trafficking organization.
- The U.S. State Department is offering a $10 million reward for information leading to Wedding’s arrest.
Senior U.S. and Canadian law enforcement officials are scheduled to hold a news conference in Washington, D.C., to provide an update on an international criminal investigation tied to fugitive and former Canadian Olympic snowboarder Ryan Wedding. The briefing follows the arrest of a Montreal man who is now facing extradition to the United States.
The announcement is expected to feature U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi, FBI Director Kash Patel, and RCMP Commissioner Michael Duheme. Their joint appearance signals a significant development in the multi-agency operation targeting the alleged criminal enterprise.
The briefing comes after the arrest of Atna Onha, 40, in Montreal on Tuesday. Onha appeared in court via videoconference to face charges related to murder and cocaine trafficking, though specific details have been sealed. According to sources, Onha was arrested by the RCMP at the request of the FBI in connection with the case against Wedding. He is also reported to have ties to biker gangs and the Mafia in Montreal.
Ryan Wedding, who competed for Canada in the 2002 Olympics, is listed as one of the FBI’s 10 most-wanted fugitives. He is accused of leading a continuing criminal enterprise and faces federal charges related to three murders and a cocaine trafficking conspiracy. The U.S. State Department has offered a reward of up to $10 million for information leading to his arrest.
The upcoming news conference is anticipated to shed more light on the scope of the alleged crime ring and the international cooperation involved in the investigation. It is important to note that all individuals mentioned are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.