FBI nabs top judge for accepting $2 million bribe to free Canadian drug trafficker
Luis Alcántara, a Mexican judge, has been arrested in Colombia over allegations that he accepted a $2 million bribe to grant bail to Canadian drug trafficker Andrew Clark and order his release.
Mr Alcántara faces a second superseding indictment containing nine counts of being an accessory after the fact.
Andrew Clark, 36, a Canadian drug trafficker, was identified by U.S. authorities as the second-in-command of an international criminal organisation allegedly led by Ryan Wedding, 44, A former Canadian Olympic snowboarder accused of leading one of the world’s largest and most violent transnational criminal organisations.
In October 2024, Mr Clark was arrested in Mexico over U.S. charges of murder, attempted murder and drug trafficking.
In November 2024, the United States formally requested his extradition to face prosecution.
On February 24, 2025, Mr Alcántara allegedly received the full $2 million bribe. On the same day, he allegedly granted Mr Clark bail and ordered his release.
Mr Clark was rearrested in Mexico days after his release and subsequently transferred to the United States to face prosecution.
Following investigations into the alleged bribery scheme, Mr Alcántara was arrested in Colombia on November 1, 2026.
The United States is seeking his extradition to face the charges.
If convicted, Mr Alcántara faces a statutory maximum sentence of 15 years in federal prison on each of the nine counts. The charges relate to allegations that he helped Mr Clark evade apprehension, trial or punishment.
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