The hunt for those involved in a vast international drug network took a dramatic turn with the arrest of Tommy Demorizi, a 35-year-old man from Montreal. He’s accused of a chilling role in the death of Jonathan Acebedo Garcia, a former FBI informant whose life ended violently in Medellín, Colombia, on January 31, 2025.
Demorizi’s capture unfolded Monday at Newark Liberty International Airport, as he arrived on a flight from the Dominican Republic. Authorities had previously indicated he was actively evading capture, believed to be hiding within the Caribbean nation.
The case centers around Ryan Wedding, a former Olympic snowboarder who allegedly traded the slopes for a life of large-scale cocaine trafficking. Now 44, Wedding’s operation is described by officials as a transnational network with significant connections to Canada.
The FBI has drawn stark comparisons between Wedding and notorious drug kingpin Pablo Escobar, highlighting the scale and ruthlessness of his alleged enterprise. His arrest in Mexico City last month and subsequent extradition to the U.S. marked a major breakthrough in the investigation.
Acebedo Garcia’s cooperation proved pivotal to unraveling the network. He provided crucial intelligence on encrypted communications, the intricate routes used for smuggling, and the identities of key players operating across international borders.
The stakes escalated dramatically when Wedding learned of Acebedo Garcia’s collaboration with law enforcement. A $5-million bounty was allegedly placed on the informant’s head, triggering a desperate search involving multiple intermediaries, including Demorizi.
Investigators allege Demorizi played a direct role in locating Acebedo Garcia, reportedly paying a Montreal-based reggaeton DJ up to $1,000 for contact information. The DJ had featured Acebedo Garcia in a music video, unknowingly providing a crucial lead.
Demorizi’s arrest brings the total number of individuals charged in this sprawling case to 37. The unsealed indictment last October already implicated 16 defendants, alleging at least four murders linked to the drug-smuggling operation.
Another key figure, Andrew Clark, a 34-year-old former elevator mechanic from Toronto and Wedding’s alleged second-in-command, was also arrested. The investigation continues to expose the far-reaching consequences of Wedding’s alleged criminal empire.
Wedding has entered a plea of not guilty and is currently awaiting trial, scheduled for later this summer. The case promises to reveal further details about the inner workings of this complex and dangerous organization.
