By John Q. Hosedrinker 
Former Olympic snowboarder Ryan James Wedding, now a fugitive, faces serious charges including murder, money laundering, and drug trafficking tied to a massive transnational criminal enterprise. In a recent operation, Mexican authorities, working with the FBI, seized dozens of motorcycles believed to belong to Wedding, with an estimated value of $40 million. Officials believe Wedding, who allegedly heads an organization that imports vast amounts of cocaine, is currently hiding in Mexico and being protected by the Sinaloa Cartel. A $15 million reward is being offered for information leading to his capture and conviction.
Read the original article here
Dozens of motorcycles belonging to wanted fugitive Ryan James Wedding seized by Mexican authorities, that’s quite a headline, isn’t it? When they say “dozens of motorcycles,” the mind immediately conjures images of a significant collection, and the estimated value of $40 million really makes you sit up and take notice. It’s the kind of figure that grabs headlines, a surefire way to make the story sound bigger than life. But let’s unpack this a bit, because there’s more to this story than meets the eye.
Ryan James Wedding, as the story goes, apparently went from Olympic snowboarder to, well, something else entirely. The transformation is intriguing, almost cinematic. One can’t help but wonder about the details of such a dramatic shift in direction, a story arc worthy of a Netflix documentary. And speaking of the drama, the reports seem to be trying to portray him as a major player in the drug world, akin to an El Chapo. It’s almost as if the authorities are trying to outdo previous administrations in terms of high-profile takedowns.
The specifics of the seized motorcycles are what truly capture the imagination. The article about the motorcycles dives into the details. If they are actually rare racing motorcycles, including MotoGP Ducatis previously ridden by the likes of Valentino Rossi, the reported price tag becomes a bit more believable. On the other hand, the numbers might not add up so quickly unless there are a lot of top-tier bikes. The initial impression might be inflated to make a bigger impact.
Digging a little deeper, one can find that a single custom, tier 1 racing motorcycle can easily exceed $1 million. The value can skyrocket due to the past ownership by a famous rider. Furthermore, many of these bikes boast patented technology, adding to their rarity and appeal. The kind of bikes that will likely end up in the hands of authorized collectors, museums, or very well-vetted individuals. The used ones often go through a rigorous vetting process.
It is worth noting that Ryan James Wedding has reportedly been connected to drugs for almost two decades. He was even arrested in 2008 in San Diego on conspiracy charges related to cocaine distribution. So this isn’t exactly a case of a star athlete suddenly turning to crime; it seems to be a case of a long-term pattern. Maybe the details of the transformation and the full scale of his activities is still unfolding.
The seizure itself and the valuation of the motorcycles do suggest there’s more to this story than just another police bust. The collection of motorcycles is not just a collection; it’s a statement. And the potential auctioning of these bikes will be something to watch, as museums around the world will be keeping a close eye. It will be interesting to see how the story evolves, whether the hype surrounding Wedding’s alleged empire is justified, or if it’s all a bit of a carefully constructed narrative.