FBI agents say raid in Aventura is linked to “violent” drug trafficking ring run by former Olympian

LOS ANGELES – FBI agents in Los Angeles held a news conference Thursday on a drug smuggling case that led to a raid on a million-dollar mansion in an exclusive island neighborhood in Aventura.

The FBI confirmed Wednesday that it conducted “court-ordered law enforcement operations” in the area of ​​3914 Island Estates Drive, located in the residential community of the same name. The homeowner, Nahim Jorge Bonilla, a music executive, was arrested and charged in the case. Records show the sprawling, 6,697-square-foot Aventura home sold for $4.8 million in 2020.

Authorities said mountains of cocaine and methamphetamine were seized in California earlier this year as part of the investigation.

According to a 52-page indictment, the defendants directed and operated a sophisticated network that allegedly coordinated the transportation of cocaine and meth in bulk from California to Canada. According to the indictment, the ring also operated in Mexico and Colombia.

According to authorities, it was led by a former Canadian Olympian, 43-year-old ex-snowboarder Ryan Wedding. He remains at large and is said to have most recently been in Mexico.

According to authorities, the group sent about 60 tons of cocaine to the United States and Canada each year.

Read the indictment:

“This group was ruthless and violent,” an official said Thursday, linking the ring to several “execution-style” killings in Canada.

A Royal Canadian Mounted Police officer attended Thursday's news conference along with FBI agents.

He promised to continue to pursue those involved.

Officers from the Los Angeles Police Department and Ontario Provincial Police also spoke.

Watch press conference: