FBI seizes $40m collection, including MotoGP bikes, from drug lord

The Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Los Angeles division reports that drug baron Ryan James Wedding’s impressive collection of racing motorcycles has been seized.

One of the FBI’s ‘top 10 fugitives’, Wedding is a motorcycle enthusiast, with his $40m collection featuring Ducatis that were ridden by Valentino Rossi, Jorge Lorenzo, Andrea Dovisioso, Loris Capirossi and Andrea Iannone, as well as Marc Marquez’s 2012 title-winning Moto2 bike and Rossi’s championship-clinching 125cc Aprilia.

The collection was just discovered after being stored in a garage in Mexico, where those 50 racing motorcycles were seemingly left uncared for.

“This month, Mexican authorities executed multiple search warrants and seized a large number of motorcycles with an estimated value of approximately $40 million USD believed to be owned by FBI’s Top Ten Fugitive Ryan James Wedding,” FBI Los Angeles posted on social media. “This successful seizure is a result of collaborative efforts among Mexican authorities, the FBI, RCMP [Canadian police] and LAPD [Los Angeles police].

Photo from FBI Los Angeles

“There is a reward up to $15 million USD for information leading to his arrest and/or conviction. If you have any information concerning Wedding, please contact the FBI.”

Ryan James Wedding is a former Olympic athlete from Canada who is accused of running a drug cartel and orchestrating the murder of a federal witness, according to the United States’ Department of Justice.

There is a market for buying and selling motorcycles and, in general, any type of MotoGP-related memorabilia such as helmets and suits, which are highly coveted by collectors. Ducati has its own channel to sell memorabilia, as does MotoGP itself.

Now that all these motorcycles have been seized, whether the authorities will have them stored, auctioned or destroyed remains to be seen.