A Canadian lawyer accused of being a key figure in a major international drug trafficking network, which allegedly involves a former Olympic snowboarder, has been released on bail by a Canadian court. Deepak Paradkar, 62, was granted bail on Tuesday, 23 December 2025, pending an extradition hearing to face charges in the United States.
The Network and the $15 Million Manhunt
The case centres on former Canadian Olympic snowboarder Ryan Wedding, who is now accused by US authorities of leading a violent criminal organisation. The FBI has placed Wedding on its Ten Most Wanted list and is offering a staggering $15 million for information leading to his capture. He is believed to be residing in Mexico under the protection of the notorious Sinaloa cartel.
Authorities allege Wedding is collaborating with the cartel to channel vast quantities of narcotics into both Canada and the United States. In a particularly chilling accusation, Wedding and his associates are said to have posted a photograph of a murder witness online so he could be identified and killed. The witness was subsequently shot in the head at a restaurant in Medellín, Colombia, in January.
Paradkar's Alleged Role and Court Decision
Deepak Paradkar, a lawyer from Thornhill, Ontario, was arrested last month alongside several other Canadians as part of the FBI investigation. Prosecutors claim he played a pivotal role by introducing Wedding to traffickers who moved drugs across North America. He is also alleged to have directed intelligence gathering operations after law enforcement seizures and advised the former athlete concerning the murdered witness.
US federal prosecutors strongly opposed his release, arguing Paradkar has an "extraordinary" incentive to flee, as he faces the possibility of multiple life sentences if convicted. His defence team countered that he has deep roots in Canada, no criminal record, and that his family had staked their finances to secure his release.
Judge Cites Health and Community Ties
Ontario Superior Court Justice Peter Bawden ultimately ruled in favour of bail. In his decision, Justice Bawden stated he found it "very unlikely" that Paradkar would attempt to evade justice, citing the defendant's lack of a criminal record, his ailing health, and testimony from his wife who pledged to ensure he complies with all bail conditions. The precise date for Paradkar's extradition hearing remains unclear.
This development marks a significant moment in a cross-border case that links the worlds of elite sport, international law, and organised crime, while a multi-million dollar manhunt for the alleged kingpin continues.
