Mexican judge arrested for alleged bribe to free Ryan Wedding associate

Explainer

American officials announced on Thursday that a Mexican judge has been arrested for allegedly accepting a $2 million bribe to grant bail to a man accused of being second-in-command to former Canadian Olympic snowboarder Ryan Wedding. The U.S. Department of Justice said Luis Benitez Alcantara, 49, was arrested on Sunday in Colombia and faces a U.S. extradition request. He is accused of using his judicial position to unlawfully secure the release of Andrew Clark, a 36-year-old Canadian man alleged to play a key role in a violent international drug trafficking ring. U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche said in a news release that "crooked public officials, no matter where they are, who assist drug traffickers operating here at home will face justice in the United States." Benitez Alcantara was arrested on a nine-count federal indictment and could face up to 15 years in prison for each count if convicted.

What are the specific allegations against the judge?

Officials allege that Andrew Clark, who was first arrested in Mexico in October 2024 on U.S. charges of drug trafficking, murder and attempted murder, orchestrated a bribery scheme to secure his freedom. After American officials formally requested his extradition in November 2024, Clark is accused of transferring about $2.75 million in small increments through intermediaries from then through February 2025 in a bid to be freed. The U.S. Department of Justice alleges Clark struck a deal to pay Benitez Alcantara, the district judge overseeing his extradition proceedings, about $2 million in exchange for ordering his release. It is alleged Benitez Alcantara granted Clark bond and ordered his release in February 2025, on the same day he allegedly received the bribe. Clark was arrested again days later and taken to the United States, where his criminal case is pending.

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Who is Andrew Clark and what is his alleged connection to Ryan Wedding?

Andrew Clark is a 36-year-old Canadian man described by U.S. officials as a key figure in a violent international drug trafficking ring. He is accused of acting as second-in-command to Ryan Wedding, the former Canadian Olympic snowboarder turned alleged drug kingpin. Clark and Wedding were both named on U.S. charges of drug trafficking, murder and attempted murder stemming from Clark's initial arrest in Mexico in October 2024. The alleged bribery scheme was aimed at freeing Clark from Mexican custody before he could be extradited to face those charges in the United States. His release was short-lived, as he was recaptured and transferred to U.S. custody within days of the judge's order.

What is the status of Ryan Wedding's case?

Ryan Wedding was arrested in Mexico in January of this year and taken to the United States to face drug trafficking, murder and attempted murder charges. He remains in federal custody awaiting two trials scheduled for March and October of next year. The Thunder Bay, Ont., native had been on the run for years and was eventually placed on the FBI's Top 10 most-wanted list, with a $15-million reward for information leading to his capture. Authorities allege he ordered the murders of several people, including a witness who could testify against him in a 2024 narcotics case. FBI Director Kash Patel has alleged that Wedding is "the largest narco trafficker in modern times." As part of the broader U.S. investigation into Wedding, eight people were also arrested in Canada a year ago.

What happens next in the case against the judge?

The immediate next step is an extradition process. U.S. officials said a request will be made for Luis Benitez Alcantara to be extradited from Colombia to face charges in the United States. He was arrested on a nine-count federal indictment, though the specific charges have not been detailed in the public announcements. If extradited and convicted, he could face a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison for each count. The case shows the U.S. Justice Department's intent to pursue foreign officials allegedly involved in facilitating international drug trafficking. The announcement comes as the related cases against Wedding and his associates continue to move through the U.S. court system.

With files from The Canadian Press, The Globe and Mail and CBC News