Mexican judge arrested over alleged $2m bribe to free Canadian drug trafficker
The United States Justice Department has announced the arrest of a Mexican judge accused of accepting a US$2 million bribe to secure the release of alleged Canadian drug trafficker Andrew Clark, an associate of former Canadian Olympic snowboarder Ryan Wedding, who faces drug trafficking and murder charges in the US.
Mexican judge Luis Benítez Alcántara, 49, was arrested in Colombia on Sunday and is facing nine counts of being an accessory after the fact, according to the Justice Department.
Wedding, meanwhile, pleaded not guilty in January to 17 felony charges connected to an alleged cocaine trafficking and murder operation.
The US government is expected to seek Benítez’s extradition from Colombia to face prosecution.
US Attorney General Todd Blanche said officials involved in helping drug traffickers evade justice would be held accountable, regardless of where they operate.
“Crooked public officials, no matter where they are, who assist drug traffickers operating here at home, will face justice in the United States,” he said.
If convicted, Benítez could face a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison on each count.
According to the indictment, the judge granted Clark bail and ordered his release on February 24, 2025, the same day he allegedly received the full US$2 million bribe.
Clark was rearrested a few days later and transferred to the United States, where his case is still pending.
Wedding, who was previously among the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted fugitives, is scheduled to face two trials on March 31 and October 26, 2027.
The Mexican Federal Criminal Justice Centre had not immediately responded to a request for comment, while Benítez could not be reached for his reaction.
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