By Fatma Younis
A Mexican judge has been arrested in Colombia on charges of accepting $2 million in bribes to release a Canadian man facing U.S. drug trafficking charges, the U.S. Justice Department announced Thursday.
Judge Accused of Freeing Suspect in Exchange for Bribes
Luis Benítez Alcántara, 49, was overseeing extradition proceedings in Mexico in 2024 for Andrew Clark, a Canadian citizen charged in the United States with helping operate a billion-dollar drug trafficking organization. U.S. officials allege Benítez released Clark from custody after receiving the bribe payments. Clark was rearrested days later and transferred to the United States, where he faces drug trafficking and murder charges.
Connection to Alleged Drug Network Headed by Former Olympian
The trafficking group is allegedly led by Ryan Wedding, a former Canadian Olympic snowboarder who competed in the 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Games. Wedding was arrested in Mexico earlier this year and flown to California, where he pleaded not guilty to murder and drug charges. He remains a top FBI fugitive accused of moving cocaine from Latin America into the United States and orchestrating several killings.
U.S. Seeks Extradition of Judge from Colombia
Benítez was arrested Sunday in Colombia and charged in a nine-count indictment with being an accessory after the fact. U.S. authorities will request his extradition from Colombia. "Crooked public officials, no matter where they are, who assist drug traffickers operating here at home will face justice in the United States," U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche said in a statement.
Wide-Ranging Investigation Yields Dozens of Arrests
The investigation into the alleged multinational drug network has resulted in dozens of arrests. Authorities have seized large quantities of drugs, weapons, and cash, along with millions of dollars worth of automobiles, motorcycles, artwork, and jewelry.
