Canadian Lawyer Advised Alleged Drug Lord Ex-Olympian to Kill Witness, DOJ Says
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) have arrested Canadian defense attorney Deepak Paradkar as part of a major crackdown on former Olympic snowboarder Ryan Wedding, who is accused of leading a multi-national drug trafficking organization. Paradkar, who was described as Wedding’s lawyer at a press conference by U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli, is alleged to have advised the fugitive ex-Olympian to have a witness killed in an attempt to have a case dismissed. Wedding, a former member of Team Canada, remains at large and faces numerous charges, including murder in connection with a continuing criminal enterprise, drug crimes, and witness tampering.
The indictment against Paradkar alleges that he encouraged Wedding and his accomplice, Andrew Clark, to commit murder and manipulate evidence to avoid prosecution. The DOJ has also imposed sanctions on Paradkar, accusing him of violating the trust of his clients and the ethics of his profession by enabling eavesdropping on privileged communications. Wedding is currently on the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list and is described as an extremely violent criminal allegedly responsible for multiple murders in North and South America. The DOJ has raised the reward for his capture to $15 million.
Wedding is accused of orchestrating the January 2025 murder of a federal witness, who was shot and killed at a restaurant in Medellin, Colombia. Federal officials stated that Wedding placed a bounty on the victim’s head, believing their death would lead to the dismissal of charges against him and his drug-trafficking ring. Wedding is also alleged to have ordered dozens of murders in North America and Latin America, and he uses cryptocurrency to conceal his wealth. He is accused of trafficking large quantities of cocaine through Colombia and Mexico into the U.S. and Canada, with the aid of his associates.
Wedding, a former Olympic snowboarder, participated in the 2002 Games in Salt Lake City after missing out on the 1998 Olympics. His only competition at the Games was in the men’s parallel giant slalom, where he finished 24th, with Switzerland’s Philipp Schoch winning gold, Sweden’s Richard Rikardsson taking silver, and the U.S.’s Chris Klug securing bronze. The FBI and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police allege that Wedding and Clark coordinated a November 2023 double homicide in Ontario, mistakenly targeting an innocent couple. They are also accused of coordinating the murder of another person in May over a drug debt.
The murder and criminal enterprise charges against Wedding carry a mandatory minimum penalty of life in a federal prison. This case underscores the severe consequences of organized crime and the role of professionals in enabling such activities. The DOJ’s actions reflect a commitment to justice and the rule of law, even in the face of high-profile defendants like Wedding, whose criminal activities have international implications.