US accuses Mexican judge of $2m bribe to free accused drug trafficker allegedly linked to ex-Olympic snowboarder
Summary
U.S. officials say Mexican judge Luis Benítez Alcántara accepted $2 million to release Canadian citizen Andrew Clark during extradition proceedings in Mexico in 2024. Benítez was arrested in Colombia and faces U.S. charges; officials plan to seek his extradition. Clark was later taken to the United States, where he faces drug-trafficking and murder charges tied to a network allegedly led by former Olympic snowboarder Ryan Wedding.Key Facts
- Benítez Alcántara, 49, was arrested in Colombia on Sunday, according to the U.S. Justice Department.
- A nine-count indictment charges Benítez with being an accessory after the fact.
- U.S. officials accuse Benítez of taking $2 million in bribes to release Clark from custody.
- Clark was charged in the United States with helping run a drug-trafficking group allegedly led by Ryan Wedding.
- Authorities arrested Clark again days after his release and took him to the United States.
- Wedding was arrested in Mexico earlier this year and taken to California, where he pleaded not guilty to murder and drug charges.
- U.S. officials said they will seek Benítez’s extradition from Colombia.
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