A Mexican district judge has been arrested in Colombia after U.S. officials accused him of accepting a $2 million bribe to secure the release of a Canadian man linked to an alleged international drug trafficking network led by former Olympic snowboarder Ryan Wedding.
Luis Benitez Alcantara, 49, was taken into custody on Sunday in Bogotá, according to a U.S. Department of Justice statement issued Thursday. He faces nine federal counts of being an accessory after the fact in connection with the release of Andrew Clark, a 36-year-old Canadian charged in the U.S. with drug trafficking, murder, and attempted murder.
Immediate Action & Core Facts
U.S. authorities allege that Benitez Alcantara, who was overseeing Clark’s extradition proceedings in Mexico City, ordered his release on February 24, 2025, the same day he allegedly received the bribe. Clark was re-arrested days later and extradited to the U.S., where he remains in federal custody awaiting trial.
The U.S. Justice Department has filed an extradition request with Colombian authorities, seeking Benitez Alcantara’s transfer to face prosecution in the United States. If convicted, he could face up to 15 years in prison per count.
Deeper Dive & Context
The Alleged Scheme
According to court documents, Clark sent approximately $2.75 million to intermediaries between November 2024 and February 2025, with $2 million ultimately reaching Benitez Alcantara. The payments were allegedly made to secure Clark’s release while he was awaiting extradition to the U.S. on charges tied to Wedding’s alleged criminal enterprise.
Wedding, a former Canadian Olympic athlete, was arrested in Mexico in January 2025 and flown to California, where he pleaded not guilty to drug trafficking and murder charges. He remains in custody, with trials scheduled for March and October 2025.
Scope of the Investigation
U.S. officials describe the alleged network as a billion-dollar transnational drug trafficking operation, with operations spanning Colombia, Mexico, and the U.S. Authorities have seized large quantities of drugs, weapons, cash, and luxury assets, including automobiles, motorcycles, artwork, and jewelry.
The case is part of a broader FBI-led investigation into Wedding’s alleged role as the leader of a violent criminal enterprise responsible for moving cocaine from Latin America into North America. Multiple individuals have been arrested in connection with the network, though specific numbers were not disclosed in the statements.
Official Responses
U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche stated that the arrest underscores the Justice Department’s commitment to holding corrupt officials accountable, regardless of location. FBI Director Kash Patel described Benitez Alcantara’s alleged actions as enabling a major cocaine supplier with deep international ties.
Clark’s attorney, Matthew Lombard, has not publicly commented on the allegations. Benitez Alcantara’s legal representation has also not been confirmed.
Timeline of Key Events
- October 8, 2024: Clark arrested in Guadalajara, Mexico.
- October 9, 2024: Clark appears before Benitez Alcantara for extradition proceedings.
- November 2024 – February 2025: Clark allegedly sends $2.75 million in bribe payments to intermediaries.
- February 24, 2025: Benitez Alcantara allegedly receives $2 million and orders Clark’s release.
- Late February 2025: Clark is re-arrested and extradited to the U.S.
- January 2025: Wedding arrested in Mexico and transferred to U.S. custody.
- March 2025: Benitez Alcantara arrested in Colombia; U.S. files extradition request.