Health & Science · November 5, 2026
Mexican judge accused of accepting bribes in drug case linked to former Olympian Ryan Wedding
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Luiz Benítez Alcántara, a 49-year-old Mexican judge, was arrested on November 2 in Colombia and faces U.S. charges for allegedly accepting $2 million in bribes. U.S. officials claim Benítez released Canadian citizen Andrew Clark from custody in 2025 while overseeing Clark's extradition proceedings. Clark is accused of involvement in a billion-dollar drug trafficking organization allegedly led by Ryan Wedding, a former Olympic snowboarder. While Clark was re-arrested days after his release and transferred to the United States, Benítez now faces a nine-count indictment for being an accessory after the fact. U.S. authorities intend to seek Benítez's extradition from Colombia.
Read the original coverage
- CBS NewsMainstream
Mexican judge arrested, accused by U.S. of taking bribes to free accused drug trafficker linked to Olympian Ryan Wedding
Read at CBS News ↗ - Washington TimesMainstream
Mexican judge arrested and accused in U.S. with taking bribes in international drug trafficking case
Read at Washington Times ↗ - CNNMainstream
Mexican judge accused of accepting bribes in drug case linked to former Olympian Ryan Wedding | CNN
Read at CNN ↗
Reported by multiple outlets
- Mexican judge Luiz Benítez Alcántara was arrested in Colombia on Sunday.
- The U.S. Department of Justice has charged Benítez with being an accessory after the fact in a nine-count indictment.
- Benítez is accused of accepting $2 million in bribes to release Andrew Clark from custody.
- Andrew Clark is a suspected Canadian drug trafficker linked to an organization allegedly led by Ryan Wedding.
- U.S. officials intend to request Benítez's extradition from Colombia.
Reported by only some outlets
- Benítez was traveling to Colombia for personal reasons at the time of his arrest.
- The bribe and subsequent release of Clark occurred while Benítez was overseeing extradition proceedings in Mexico in 2024 and 2025.
- Andrew Clark was re-arrested days after his release and removed to the United States to face drug trafficking and murder charges.
What the evidence actually shows
U.S. Department of Justice officials allege that Judge Luiz Benítez Alcántara accepted $2 million in bribes to facilitate the release of a high-level drug trafficking suspect during extradition proceedings.
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