fbi seizes mercedes clk gtr

FBI Seizes Ultra-Rare Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR Linked to Canadian Drug Kingpin

The United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has confiscated one of the world’s rarest supercars—a 2002 Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR Roadster—as part of an expanding international investigation into organized crime.

In a stunning development that bridges the worlds of high-stakes automotive collecting and transnational drug trafficking, authorities have officially seized a vehicle valued at approximately $13 million to $18 million. The car is allegedly linked to Ryan Wedding, a former Olympic snowboarder who is now on the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list.

This seizure represents more than just the loss of a luxury asset; it is a significant blow to the financial infrastructure of a sophisticated criminal enterprise. For Canadian observers, this case highlights the increasingly complex cross-border nature of organized crime and the aggressive asset recovery tactics being employed by U.S. federal agents.

The Main Narrative: A Supercar in the Crosshairs

The story centers on the seizure of a 2002 Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR Roadster, a vehicle so exclusive that only six units were ever produced. According to verified reports from Driving.ca and Global News, the FBI’s Los Angeles division recovered the vehicle as they close in on Ryan Wedding, a 43-year-old former Olympian turned alleged drug kingpin.

Wedding, who competed for Canada in snowboarding at the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, has allegedly pivoted from sporting accolades to running a violent criminal organization. U.S. authorities accuse him of orchestrating a sophisticated drug trafficking network that moves narcotics across the Canada-U.S. border and beyond.

The Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR Roadster serves as a "trophy" asset—a symbol of the immense wealth allegedly generated by Wedding’s illicit activities. As noted in reports from The Toronto Star, the investigation into Wedding’s financial network has been intensifying, with U.S. agents working closely with Canadian law enforcement to dismantle his operation.

Why This Matters

The seizure of a vehicle with a price tag ranging from $13 million to $18 million underscores the immense profitability of the drug trade. It also signals a shift in law enforcement strategy: rather than focusing solely on arrests, authorities are aggressively targeting the tangible assets that fuel these criminal lifestyles.

Recent Updates: The Timeline of the Seizure

According to official news coverage, the events have unfolded rapidly. Here is the verified timeline of developments:

• The Investigation Intensifies: The FBI’s focus on Ryan Wedding grew after he was added to the Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list in October 2024. The agency offered a $5 million reward for information leading to his arrest, citing his involvement in murders and drug distribution.
• The Seizure: In late 2024 and early 2025, agents executed search warrants targeting assets belonging to Wedding’s alleged associates. The Driving.ca report confirms that the CLK GTR was targeted specifically due to its connection to the fugitive’s financial network.
• The Asset: The vehicle in question is a 2002 Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR Roadster. It is a street-legal version of the car that dominated the FIA GT1 racing series in the late 1990s. Its rarity makes it one of the most coveted collector items in the world.
• Ongoing Manhunt: Despite the asset seizure, Ryan Wedding remains at large. The FBI believes he may be hiding in Mexico, though his ties to Canada remain strong.

Global News reported that the seizure was a coordinated effort, highlighting the cooperation between the FBI and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) to track financial flows across the border.

Contextual Background: The Man and the Machine

To understand the significance of this seizure, one must look at the history of both the vehicle and the suspect.

The Legend of the CLK GTR

The Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR is not merely a car; it is a piece of motorsport history. Originally built to meet the homologation requirements for the GT1 racing class, it was essentially a race car with license plates. With a mid-mounted V12 engine and a top speed exceeding 200 mph, it was the fastest production car of its time.

Today, the Roadster variant is among the most valuable cars in existence. Owning one requires not just immense wealth, but connections in the tight-knit world of elite automotive collecting. The fact that one of these rare machines is now sitting in an FBI impound lot is a surreal collision of two vastly different worlds.

Ryan Wedding: From Olympian to Fugitive

Ryan Wedding’s trajectory is a dramatic fall from grace. Representing Canada on the world stage was the peak of his public career. However, U.S. prosecutors allege that shortly after his athletic career ended, he began building a criminal enterprise.

According to reports, Wedding is accused of using his Canadian base of operations to facilitate the importation of hundreds of kilograms of cocaine. His organization is described as violent, with allegations of murder used to enforce discipline and silence witnesses.

The "Toronto Money Man"

Part of the investigation’s context involves a lawsuit detailed by The Toronto Star. The report highlights the activities of Wedding’s alleged "money man" in Toronto. This associate was reportedly responsible for laundering the proceeds of crime—funds that likely paid for assets like the CLK GTR. The legal proceedings in Toronto have peeled back the curtain on how Canadian banking and real estate systems were allegedly exploited to hide drug money.

Immediate Effects: The Impact of the Seizure

The confiscation of the Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR has immediate ripple effects across several sectors:

1. Economic and Asset Forfeiture The primary immediate effect is the removal of a high-value asset from the alleged criminal’s portfolio. Asset forfeiture is a critical tool for the FBI. By seizing the car, they are not just punishing the suspect but also disrupting the liquidity of the organization. High-value assets like supercars are often used as collateral or quick-sell items to fund operations.

2. Social and Cultural Shock in Canada For the Canadian public, this news serves as a stark reminder of the proximity of high-level organized crime. It challenges the perception that such violence and wealth are confined to movies or foreign jurisdictions. The involvement of a former Olympic athlete adds a layer of celebrity intrigue that has captivated the Canadian news cycle.

3. Deterrence for the Luxury Market High-end dealers and auction houses are likely paying close attention. The seizure demonstrates that law enforcement is sophisticated enough to trace ownership through shell companies and proxies. It serves as a warning to luxury markets that "blind eyes" to the source of funds are no longer a viable business practice.

Future Outlook: What Comes Next?

Based on the trajectory of the investigation and the signals from law enforcement, several outcomes are likely in the coming months:

The Manhunt Intensifies The seizure of such a personal and prized possession is often a psychological tactic. By taking away Wedding’s status symbols, the FBI is stripping away the glamour of his fugitive lifestyle. This, combined with the $5 million reward, may pressure associates to cooperate or leak information regarding his location in Mexico.

Further Asset Recovery The CLK GTR is unlikely to be the only asset seized. Investigators will likely follow the paper trail to other real estate holdings, bank accounts, and perhaps secondary vehicles associated with Wedding’s network. The lawsuit in Toronto suggests that Canadian authorities are prepared to freeze assets within Canada as well.

Legal Proceedings Eventually, the car itself will likely be auctioned off by the U.S. government, with proceeds potentially going toward victim compensation funds or law enforcement budgets. However, this will only happen after the legal battles regarding ownership are settled.

Interesting Fact: The "Homologation Special"

The Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR Roadster seized by the FBI is a true unicorn. When it was new, it was the fastest production car in the world. Interestingly, the design of the car was essentially reversed from typical automotive development. Usually, a road car is designed first, and a race car is derived from it. For the CLK GTR, the race car was designed first, and the road car was built simply to satisfy racing regulations.

Conclusion

The seizure of the $13 million Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR is a dramatic chapter in the hunt for Ryan Wedding. It illustrates the vast wealth generated by the drug trade and the relentless reach of the FBI.

For Canadians, this story is a cautionary tale about the intersection of sports, celebrity, and crime. As the investigation continues, the fate of the ultra-rare supercar serves as a symbol of the inevitable downfall of those who choose a life of crime. The road may be fast, but for Ryan Wedding and his associates, it appears to be a dead end.

Sources: Driving.ca, Global News, The Toronto Star, FBI Public Statements.