Federal prosecutors announced Thursday that a Mexican judge has been arrested in Colombia on charges of accepting a $2 million bribe to release a Canadian drug‑trafficking suspect. The judge, Luiz Benítez Alcántara, 49, is accused of facilitating the release of Andrew Clark, a Canadian citizen who was charged in the United States for his role in a large‑scale cocaine operation allegedly headed by former Canadian Olympic snowboarder Ryan Wedding.
U.S. indictment and extradition request
The Department of Justice disclosed that Benítez faces a nine‑count grand‑jury indictment that accuses him of being an accessory after the fact. Prosecutors say he oversaw Clark’s extradition proceedings in Mexico in 2024 and, in 2025, accepted a $2 million payment to free Clark from custody. Clark was apprehended days later and transferred to the United States, where he now faces drug‑trafficking and murder charges.
U.S. officials said they will request Benítez’s 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.
Broader investigation into a multinational network
The case is part of a wider U.S. investigation into a multinational drug‑trafficking network that authorities say was run by Wedding. Wedding, who became a top FBI fugitive, is accused of moving cocaine from Latin America into the United States and ordering multiple killings. He was captured in Mexico earlier this year and transferred to California, where he has pleaded not guilty to murder and drug charges.
Dozens of individuals have been arrested in connection with the alleged network. Law‑enforcement agencies have seized large quantities of cocaine, firearms, cash, and millions of dollars’ worth of automobiles, motorcycles, artwork and jewelry. According to the indictment, Clark acted as second‑in‑command, overseeing the shipment of cocaine from Mexico to Los Angeles, where it was stored in stash houses before being moved to Canada via long‑haul semi‑trucks.
Legal representation and next steps
Clark’s attorney, Matthew Lombard, did not immediately respond to requests for comment. It is not yet known whether Benítez has retained legal counsel in Colombia. The U.S. attorney’s office in Los Angeles, represented by spokesperson Ciaran McEvoy, noted that Benítez was traveling to Colombia for personal reasons when he was detained.
The extradition request will now move through the Colombian legal system, where authorities will determine whether to surrender Benítez to U.S. custody. If extradited, he will face trial on the nine counts outlined in the indictment.
Implications for cross‑border law enforcement
Officials say the case underscores the importance of international cooperation in combating drug trafficking and corruption. By pursuing a foreign judge who allegedly abused his authority, the United States aims to send a clear message that officials who facilitate criminal enterprises will be held accountable, regardless of jurisdiction.
Original reporting: KRDO (Colorado Springs metro) — read the source article.
