A Mexican cartel boss fatally shot last week by police in Mexico helped Canadian Olympic snowboarder Ryan Wedding traffic drugs and avoid the authorities before his arrest in January, according to the Justice Department. 

In an indictment unsealed Tuesday, federal prosecutors alleged that Edgar Aaron Vazquez Alvarado, or "El General," trafficked cocaine for Wedding's million-dollar criminal enterprise and provided it with "near-daily, rotating code words" that were used for safe passage through law enforcement checkpoints. 

Vasquez also allegedly paid Mexican public officials to slow down criminal investigations and tamper with evidence, in addition to helping Wedding avoid U.S. law enforcement for two years, according to the indictment.

Mexican security forces fatally shot Vasquez, the founder of Mexico City's El Cártel Nuevo Imperio, while attempting to serve an arrest warrant in Naucalpan, Mexico, related to a 2024 death for which authorities thought he was responsible, according to CBS News.

The Justice Department also announced a six-count federal indictment against Roberto Gomez, a U.S. citizen and Los Angeles gang member living in Mexico. Federal prosecutors allege he was a long-time drug supplier to international criminal organizations including Wedding's.

Wedding last year was added to the FBI Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list. He was arrested on January 22, in Mexico City, Mexico, and subsequently extradited to the U.S. to face trial.