A group of professionals in Canada and abroad is accused of supporting a billion-dollar drug cartel led by former Canadian Olympic snowboarder Ryan Wedding. The U.S. government has identified Wedding as the alleged mastermind behind a cocaine empire, likening him to infamous drug lords like Pablo Escobar and El Chapo Guzman. Alongside Wedding, nine others are said to form a "network of enablers" that helps him manage substantial amounts of illicit money.

The U.S. Department of the Treasury has imposed sanctions on these individuals, which include a lawyer, a sex-trade madame, a bookkeeper, a special forces soldier, and various businessmen. Wedding remains a fugitive with a $15 million bounty on his head.

In organized crime, financial management is crucial. If criminals cannot spend or invest their proceeds, their operations become untenable. This reality makes seemingly legitimate business professionals invaluable to mob bosses, often more so than traditional enforcers.

**Edgar Aaron Vazquez Alvarado**, 41, known as "The General," is believed to be a former Mexican law enforcement officer with connections to other officials. He allegedly provides protection for Wedding in Mexico and uses police contacts to locate targets. Although he owns several businesses, he is not named in any U.S. indictments.

**Rolan Sokolovski**, 37, from Maple, Ontario, is accused of managing the financial operations of Wedding's organization. The U.S. Treasury claims he concealed drug trafficking proceeds, including over $20 million in cryptocurrency. Sokolovski, who runs a jewelry business, is named in a recent indictment for allegedly acquiring luxury items for Wedding and his associates.

**Miryam Andrea Castillo Moreno**, 34, is identified as Wedding's wife. Born in Nuevo Leon, Mexico, a known cartel stronghold, she is alleged to have helped launder drug money and facilitate violent acts, although specific details are not provided.

**Daniela Alejandra Acuna Macias**, 23, Wedding's Colombian girlfriend, is accused of receiving substantial funds from him to support a lifestyle linked to drug trafficking. She allegedly assisted in gathering information on Wedding's rivals.

**Carmen Yelinet Valoyes Florez**, a Colombian national, is described as running a high-end prostitution ring in Mexico. She is accused of introducing Wedding to his girlfriend and allegedly assisted in the murder of a federal witness.

**Gianluca Tiepolo**, 50, a former member of Italy's special forces, is said to have operated a tactical training academy for Wedding's hitmen. He is also accused of managing Wedding's assets and concealing them from authorities.

Two businessmen, **Cristian Diana**, 50, and **John Anthony Fallon**, 63, have also been sanctioned. Diana is linked to Tiepolo's companies, while Fallon is associated with a UK-based dealership.

**Deepak Paradkar**, a lawyer from Brampton, Ontario, was arrested at the request of U.S. officials. He is accused of using his legal position to assist Wedding's organization and is alleged to have helped orchestrate the murder of a witness.

None of the allegations against these individuals have been proven in court. The sanctions imposed by the U.S. Treasury cut them off from the U.S. financial system, restricting their ability to conduct business with American entities.