# Mexican Judge Arrested Over Alleged $2 Million Bribe for Drug Suspect A federal judge faces extradition after allegedly facilitating the release of a drug kingpin's associate. - **Source:** [The Globe and Mail – Canada](https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada) - **Published:** 2026-11-05 - **Topic:** [politics](https://brifing.si/c/politics) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/615b617e-9409-4e47-b8e6-f2314020c3b4 ## Judicial Corruption Charges Mexican district judge Luis Benitez Alcantara was arrested in Colombia following allegations of accepting a $2 million bribe. U.S. officials claim the 49-year-old judge abused his official position to secure the release of Andrew Clark. Clark is identified as the second-in-command to former Canadian Olympic snowboarder and alleged drug kingpin Ryan Wedding. ## The Bribery Mechanism Between late 2024 and February 2025, Andrew Clark allegedly transferred approximately $2.75 million through various intermediaries to facilitate his freedom. Investigators allege that Benitez Alcantara received $2 million of this sum specifically to order Clark's release from Mexican custody. The judge reportedly granted bond and ordered the release on the same day. ## Extradition and Prosecution Following his arrest in Colombia on Sunday, U.S. authorities are now seeking the extradition of Benitez Alcantara. He faces a nine-count federal indictment in the United States. If convicted on all charges, the judge could potentially face a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison for each individual count of the federal indictment. ## Targeting Drug Trafficking Networks U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche emphasized that public officials assisting drug traffickers will face justice regardless of their location. This case highlights the aggressive U.S. stance against international corruption linked to drug cartels. The prosecution aims to dismantle the support structures that allow high-level trafficking suspects to evade legal detention proceedings. ## Status of Andrew Clark Andrew Clark, 36, was originally arrested in Mexico in October 2024 on charges including drug trafficking, murder, and attempted murder. Despite the alleged bribery scheme that secured his temporary release in February, he was re-arrested days later. He is currently held in the United States, where his criminal case remains pending trial. ## Ryan Wedding's Legal Situation Ryan Wedding, the former Olympian turned alleged kingpin, was arrested in Mexico in January 2025. He was subsequently transferred to the United States to face serious charges of murder, attempted murder, and drug trafficking. Wedding remains in federal custody, awaiting two separate trials scheduled for March and October of the coming year. ## Broader Criminal Investigations The investigation into the bribery scheme revealed complex efforts by the trafficking ring to manipulate the judicial process. Documents indicate that inmates with ties to Wedding previously attempted to use a jail guard, who was an ex-girlfriend, in a separate murder plot. These events underscore the depth of the criminal organization's influence. ## Implications for Judicial Integrity This case serves as a significant development in the ongoing efforts to combat transnational organized crime. By targeting the judicial officials who facilitate the release of dangerous suspects, U.S. authorities are expanding the scope of their investigations. The outcome of this trial will likely influence future cooperation between international legal enforcement agencies. ## Sources covering this story - https://www.theglobeandmail.com/world/article-judge-who-freed-alleged-ryan-wedding-associate-arrested/ — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._