VANCOUVER, Canada — Rasheed Pascua Hossain, 32, an associate of former Olympian snowboarder turned alleged drug kingpin Ryan Wedding, was arrested Friday by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Canadian authorities confirmed.
Hossain’s arrest comes amid a U.S. federal crackdown on Wedding, 44, who is on the FBI’s Most Wanted list and described by FBI Director Kash Patel as a “modern-day Pablo Escobar and El Chapo.” Wedding is believed to be hiding in Mexico under protection from the Sinaloa Cartel.
Authorities allege Wedding is responsible for distributing cocaine in the United States and Canada and is linked to orchestrating violence against a cooperating witness. Wedding was first charged in the U.S. in October 2024, facing multiple charges including murder and drug trafficking.
Hossain has been charged in connection with money laundering for the so-called Wedding Criminal Enterprise. His charges include conspiracy to distribute and possess cocaine, conspiracy to export cocaine, and conspiracy to launder monetary instruments.
Operation Giant Slalom, the ongoing investigation, has led to more than 35 indictments, with at least 10 arrests already made—seven in Canada and three in Colombia. Hossain was identified as one of four individuals, including Wedding, still being sought by authorities.
The U.S. government is offering a $15 million reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of Ryan Wedding.
