U.S. officials to unveil new details on a crime ring linked to a Canadian Olympian-turned-fugitive after a key arrest in Montreal.
U.S. Plans Major Briefing on Case Linked to Canadian Fugitive
Key Figures Step Forward
Senior U.S. officials, including Attorney General Pam Bondi and FBI Director Kash Patel, are set to address a high-profile cross-border criminal investigation on Wednesday. The briefing will detail developments stemming from the arrest of Atna Onha, a 40-year-old Montreal man allegedly connected to a sprawling drug and murder enterprise.
Arrest in Montreal Sparks Renewed Focus
Onha—known by the aliases Tupac and 2-Pac—appeared in a Montreal courtroom by videoconference Tuesday after being taken into custody earlier that morning by the RCMP at the request of the FBI. While the charges remain sealed, sources indicate they relate to a homicide and an international cocaine-trafficking network.
Links to Organized Crime
Radio-Canada sources report that Onha has longstanding ties to biker gangs and Mafia groups operating in Montreal. His arrest is being viewed as a potential turning point in dismantling a broader criminal organization with deep roots in both Canada and the United States.
Washington to Host High-Level Announcement
The U.S. Department of Justice confirmed a news conference scheduled for 11 a.m. ET Wednesday in Washington, D.C. Alongside Bondi and Patel, RCMP Commissioner Michael Duheme is expected to participate, underscoring the cross-border coordination behind the investigation.
Fugitive Olympian at the Centre of Probe
The case is closely linked to the ongoing pursuit of Ryan Wedding, a former Team Canada snowboarder who competed at the 2002 Winter Olympics in Utah. Now considered an alleged drug kingpin, Wedding is wanted on U.S. federal charges connected to three murders, a major cocaine-trafficking conspiracy, and leading a continuing criminal enterprise.
Massive Reward Highlights Case’s Urgency
Wedding is currently among the FBI’s 10 most-wanted fugitives. The U.S. State Department is offering up to $10 million for information leading to his capture—the highest reward on the agency’s list. Investigators hope the arrest in Montreal will yield critical leads in the international manhunt.
