A former Olympic snowboarder, now a fugitive on the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted list, is facing explosive new charges, including murder-for-hire and witness intimidation, in connection with what authorities describe as a massive international drug trafficking network.
Federal prosecutors announced the additional allegations this week, alleging the athlete ordered the killing of a witness in Colombia who was prepared to testify against him. The witness was fatally shot in a Medellín restaurant earlier this year before he could give evidence.
The suspect is accused of leading a criminal organization that authorities claim moves enormous quantities of cocaine—estimated at roughly 60 metric tons annually—from South America, through Mexico and into major distribution hubs in the United States and Canada. Prosecutors allege the operation works in concert with a major foreign cartel designated as a terrorist organization.
In a detailed briefing, law enforcement officials outlined a sophisticated and violent enterprise. They allege the fugitive used online platforms to publicly post photographs of the witness and his spouse to locate the individual, leading directly to the fatal attack.
Beyond the murder charge, the new indictment includes counts related to large-scale narcotics distribution, money laundering, and witness tampering. The broader investigation has already led to dozens of arrests and the seizure of thousands of kilograms of cocaine, numerous weapons, and millions of dollars in both physical assets and cryptocurrency.
A multimillion-dollar reward is being offered for information leading to the suspect’s capture. Authorities emphasized their ongoing, relentless pursuit, vowing to dismantle the entire criminal network. They issued a stark warning to those involved in the drug trade, stating that all individuals, from street-level dealers to organization leaders, would be targeted for prosecution.
