Mexican authorities have gotten their hands on what, judging by numbers and estimated value, is one of the most impressive motorcycle "stables" to have emerged in recent years in an international investigation: dozens of motorcycles with a total value estimated at around $40 million, believed to be traceable to Ryan James Wedding, a fugitive placed on the FBI's 10 Most Dangerous Wanted list. Wedding, according to investigators, is reportedly a prominent drug trafficker and was also a Canadian Olympic snowboarder in the past.
A "treasure" on two wheels: MotoGP bikes and museum pieces also turn up in photos
The FBI in Los Angeles released some images of the seizure on social media: in the photos one can see dozens of motorcycles lined up and catalogued, a collection that - net of the judicial aspect - immediately caught the attention of enthusiasts. And that's where, for GPOne readers, comes the juiciest part: looking at the shots, there also appear to be racing motorcycles of the highest historical value, including Ducati MotoGP bikes linked to Jorge Lorenzo, Loris Capirossi and Andrea Dovizioso. Also from the images, some Hondas traceable to Eddie Lawson, an Aprilia 125 that looks like the one fromValentino Rossi 's debut, and even two MotoGP Ducatis also owned by Valentino Rossi would stand out. If these identifications are confirmed, this would not only be a "rich" collection, but a real traveling racing museum, with prototypes and vehicles that have written important pages of MotoGP.
According to the FBI, Mexican authorities executed multiple search warrants over the course of this month, leading to the discovery of the entire batch of motorcycles. The operation was reportedly conducted in cooperation with the FBI, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) and the LAPD.
The profile attributed to Wedding by law enforcement is that of a criminal of the highest order. Investigators accuse him of leading an organization capable of bringing in six metric tons of cocaine a year into Los Angeles, transporting it from Mexico in articulated trucks. U.S. authorities also allege that Wedding allegedly orchestrated murders, going so far as to stage violence against rivals and witnesses. At a press conference earlier this month, FBI Director Kash Patel described him as a sort of "modern version" of figures like Pablo Escobar or "El Chapo" Guzmán. Along the same lines was Akil Davis, assistant director in charge of the FBI in Los Angeles, who spoke openly of planned murders against anyone who got in the way, including cooperating witnesses.
Among the allegations, in fact, is that he ordered the killing of a witness who was supposed to testify against him in a federal drug-trafficking case. The hunt for Wedding, however, has not just focused on two wheels. Last month the FBI seized a 2002 Mercedes CLK-GTR Roadster worth an indicated $13 million, believed to be connected to the same network.
Leading U.S. investigative authorities have announced a reward of up to $15 million for information leading to the arrest and/or conviction of Ryan James Wedding.