- Worth around US$40 million, equivalent to approximately €36.8 million.
- Over 50 racing motorcycles from MotoGP, Moto2, 125cc World Championship, and Superbike World Championship.
- Connection to one of the FBI’s Top Ten Fugitives.
A spectacular find has caused a stir in the international motorsport scene. In a coordinated operation by Mexican authorities with the support of the FBI, the Canadian police, and the Los Angeles Police Department, an extensive collection of high-end racing motorcycles was seized. The machines are believed to belong to fugitive drug dealer and former Olympian Ryan James Wedding and had apparently been stored in a warehouse in Mexico for a long time.
International raid with extraordinary results
The searches took place in the Mexico City area and were part of a comprehensive investigation into an alleged transnational drug trafficking network. According to the authorities, dozens of motorcycles were seized, with a total value estimated at around US$40 million. This corresponds to approximately €36.8 million.
The FBI publicly confirmed that the seized vehicles are believed to be the property of Ryan James Wedding. Wedding is on the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted list and is accused, among other things, of running an international drug network and being involved in other serious crimes.
Racing history united in one hall
From a motorsport perspective, the find is extraordinary. The collection includes numerous original Grand Prix motorcycles, including several Ducati Desmosedici bikes from MotoGP. Among the identified machines are bikes associated with names such as Valentino Rossi, Jorge Lorenzo, Andrea Dovizioso, Loris Capirossi, and Andrea Iannone.
Particular mention should also be made of a Moto2 machine from Suter or Kalex, which is associated with Marc Márquez’s title win in the 2012 season. Also part of the collection is an Aprilia RSW125 from the 125cc World Championship, which is associated with Valentino Rossi.
In addition to modern prototypes, investigators also found iconic Superbike and Grand Prix classics. These include a Ducati 916 from the Superbike World Championship, which Carl Fogarty is said to have ridden, as well as several 500cc World Championship machines from the premier class of past decades. The spectrum thus ranges from historic two-stroke engines to state-of-the-art MotoGP prototypes.
Highly specialized technology instead of production motorcycles
The collection’s clear focus on purebred racing machines is striking. Many of the seized motorcycles are said to be original factory or ex-race bikes built to full prototype specifications. These include carbon frames, seamless transmissions, and specially developed electronic systems that are normally only used in factory racing teams.
Authorities described the collection as exceptionally specialized and technically advanced to a level rarely found even among wealthy collectors. The published images show motorcycles in original racing liveries and with components that are not normally available on the open market.
Investigations, money laundering, and unanswered questions
According to investigators, the motorcycles are believed to have been financed with money from illegal activities and to be part of a larger money laundering scheme. The aim of the seizure is to weaken the financial infrastructure of the alleged network.
What will happen to the motorcycles is currently unclear. Possible options include long-term storage, a later auction, or other legal action. What is clear, however, is that this collection, regardless of its criminal background, represents a unique piece of racing history.
The US State Department has offered a reward of up to US$15 million, equivalent to around €13.8 million, for information leading to the arrest of Ryan James Wedding. According to current information, he is believed to still be in Mexico.
