Canadian Lawyer Connected to Drug Smuggling Network Secures Bail
A Toronto court has granted bail to Deepak Paradkar, a Canadian lawyer implicated in a complex international drug smuggling operation. Paradkar, 62, was detained alongside several other Canadians following a U.S. extradition request. The charges are part of an FBI investigation that also targets Ryan Wedding, a former Canadian Olympic snowboarder.
The investigation has placed Wedding at the center of a violent criminal syndicate. According to the FBI, he is currently on the 10 Most Wanted list and is allegedly residing in Mexico under the protection of the Sinaloa cartel. Authorities allege he is involved in smuggling large quantities of drugs into Canada and the United States.
Wedding and his network purportedly disseminated a photograph of a murder witness online, which led to the witness’s assassination in Medellín, Colombia, in January. Paradkar is accused of facilitating this network by introducing Wedding to drug traffickers and overseeing intelligence operations after law enforcement seizures. Additionally, he is said to have counseled Wedding regarding the murder witness case.
In court, U.S. federal prosecutors opposed Paradkar’s bail, arguing he has a powerful motive to abscond, given the potential life sentences he faces in the United States if convicted. Paradkar’s defense countered that he poses no flight risk, highlighting his lack of connections outside Canada and his financial commitment to securing bail.
Ontario Superior Court Justice Peter Bawden ruled in favor of bail, citing Paradkar’s clean criminal record and his health issues. The judge also noted assurances from Paradkar’s wife regarding his adherence to bail conditions, stating it was “very unlikely” he would attempt to evade justice within Canada.
The timeline for Paradkar’s extradition hearing remains undetermined.
