Executive Summary
- The FBI seized a 2002 Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR Roadster valued at $13 million.
- The seizure is part of Operation Giant Slalom targeting fugitive Ryan Wedding.
- Wedding, a former Olympian, is accused of leading a billion-dollar drug trafficking ring.
- U.S. officials describe the organization as prolific and violent.
Federal agents have seized a rare 2002 Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR Roadster valued at approximately $13 million as part of an ongoing investigation into an alleged transnational drug trafficking ring. The seizure, executed by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, falls under “Operation Giant Slalom,” a multi-agency effort targeting a criminal organization reportedly led by former Canadian Olympic snowboarder Ryan Wedding.
According to federal authorities, the luxury vehicle was confiscated from the “Wedding organization,” a network accused of trafficking significant quantities of narcotics and laundering illicit proceeds. The FBI identified the specific asset as a homologation special, noting its extreme rarity as one of only six roadsters produced. Investigators allege that the organization is responsible for generating upwards of $1 billion annually in illegal drug revenue.
Ryan Wedding, who competed in the 2002 Winter Olympics, is currently designated as a top-tier fugitive and is believed to be hiding in Mexico. Washington D.C. officials have drawn comparisons between Wedding and notorious cartel leaders regarding the scale of his alleged operations. Highlighting the severity of the charges, U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi stated, “He controls one of the most prolific and violent drug-trafficking organizations in this world.”
Investigative Outlook
The forfeiture of high-value assets represents a strategic component of federal law enforcement efforts to dismantle the financial infrastructure of transnational criminal enterprises. While the recovery of the vehicle marks a tangible success for Operation Giant Slalom, the primary target remains at large, underscoring the complexities of international cooperation in apprehending fugitives across borders. It is important to note that all individuals named in the investigation, including Ryan Wedding, are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
