US officials charge Mexican judge with $2 million bribe in drug case
A Mexican judge has been arrested in Colombia after allegedly accepting payments to release a Canadian suspect linked to a major US drug network.
By Hassan Okoye ·
US authorities announced on Thursday that a Mexican judge has been arrested on suspicion of accepting a two million dollar bribe. The payment was allegedly made in exchange for the release of a Canadian drug trafficker who was held in custody during extradition proceedings. The accusation marks a significant development in an ongoing investigation into a multinational criminal network.
The judge, identified as Luis Benítez Alcántara, was overseeing legal proceedings in Mexico in 2024 involving Andrew Clark, a Canadian citizen. Clark had been charged in the United States with helping to operate a drug trafficking group valued at one billion dollars. The alleged organization was headed by Ryan Wedding, a former Canadian Olympic snowboarder, according to a statement released by the US justice department.
Prosecutors claim that Benítez accepted the bribe payments and subsequently freed Clark from custody. However, Clark was rearrested just days after his release. He was then removed from Mexico and transported to the United States, where he now faces charges related to drug trafficking and murder.
The 49 year old judge was taken into custody on Sunday in Colombia. He has been charged in a nine count indictment with being an accessory after the fact. It was not immediately clear whether Benítez has retained legal representation. US officials plan to request his extradition from Colombian authorities to face trial in the United States.
Todd Blanche, the US attorney general, issued a statement emphasizing the commitment to hold corrupt officials accountable. He noted that crooked public officials who assist drug traffickers operating in the United States will face justice, regardless of their location. The remark underscored the broader effort to dismantle networks that exploit legal systems to move contraband.
This arrest is the latest in a series of actions taken in the US investigation into the drug network allegedly run by Wedding. The former snowboarder became a top FBI fugitive, accused of moving cocaine from Latin America into the United States and orchestrating multiple killings. Wedding was arrested in Mexico earlier this year and transported to California, where he pleaded not guilty to murder and drug related charges.
Authorities have arrested dozens of individuals in connection with the alleged network. The investigation has resulted in the seizure of large quantities of drugs, weapons, and cash. Additionally, officials have confiscated millions of dollars worth of assets, including automobiles, motorcycles, artwork, and jewelry. These seizures highlight the extensive reach and financial power of the organization.
The case illustrates the complex international legal challenges involved in prosecuting transnational crime. With suspects moving between borders and assets held in various jurisdictions, coordination between US, Mexican, and Colombian officials is critical. The arrest of a sitting judge further complicates the narrative, suggesting deep infiltration of the judicial process by criminal elements.
Andrew Clark’s attorney, Matthew Lombard, did not immediately respond to messages seeking comment on Thursday. The legal team for the other defendants in the broader case is expected to address the new charges as the extradition process for the judge moves forward.
The US justice department continues to monitor the situation closely, aiming to ensure that all individuals involved in the network are brought to trial. The case serves as a reminder of the high stakes involved in the war against international drug trafficking and the importance of integrity within the judicial systems of partner nations.
