by Life After Sport
Professional athletes often have diverse opportunities after their careers end. Some move into media, others develop personal brands or invest in businesses. But there are also those who, for their own reasons, choose a completely different path. According to investigators, former professional snowboarder Ryan Vending did just that.
Last month, authorities confiscated a $13 million Mercedes-Benz CLK-GTR linked to his case. Now they have reported an even larger seizure: rare motorcycles with a total value of $40 million, also allegedly belonging to Vending’s network.
International Network
The coordinated operation was carried out by Mexican law enforcement in conjunction with the FBI, Royal Canadian Mounted Police, and Los Angeles Police. If this doesn’t show the seriousness of the case, it’s hard to imagine what would. Officials have not yet released a full list of the seized motorcycles, but the photographs speak volumes.
According to reports, among the seized Ducatis are motorcycles ridden by MotoGP legends such as Valentino Rossi, Jorge Lorenzo, Andrea Dovizioso, Loris Capirossi, and Andrea Iannone. Also among the trophies is a Moto2 class motorcycle on which Marc Márquez won the championship title in 2012, and Rossi’s championship-winning Aprilia 125cc. Such a collection of high-end machinery is no accident—Vending clearly has a taste for fast things.
Consistency of Taste
The seizure of the Mercedes-AMG CLK-GTR last month automatically placed Vending among connoisseurs of unique automobiles. It was one of six roadster versions ever built. The new find indicates that his tastes in motorsport are equally refined. Unfortunately, his alleged ties to violent crime and drug trafficking appear to be just as deep, if not deeper.
From Olympic Dreams to Federal Warrants
Vending, a Canadian citizen born in 1981, once represented his country at the 2002 Winter Olympic Games. Today, as a figure on the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list, he faces an extensive list of charges.
According to the investigation, he allegedly ran a transnational drug trafficking operation that moved hundreds of kilograms of cocaine from Colombia through Mexico and Southern California to Canada and some US states.
Prosecutors claim that Vending ordered killings to protect his business, conspired to deal with witnesses, and laundered vast sums of money through assets ranging from real estate to expensive vehicles. The US Department of State has increased the reward for information leading to his arrest to $15 million, one of the highest amounts currently offered.
Law enforcement believes Vending may still be hiding somewhere in Mexico. They warn that he should be considered armed and dangerous.
The story of Ryan Vending is a stark contrast between the spotlight of elite sport and the shadows of the criminal world. It serves as a reminder of how quickly life trajectories can change and the consequences that chosen paths can have. The scale of the international police operation and the value of the confiscated assets underscore the scope of the activities he is accused of. As long as he remains a fugitive, this case continues to draw attention to the problem of international organized crime and its connections to the world of elite sports and collecting.
