Mexican judge arrested over alleged $2 million bribe to free drug trafficker

Mexican judge Luis Benítez Alcántara, 49, has been arrested in Colombia for allegedly accepting a $2 million bribe to release Canadian drug trafficking suspect Andrew Clark, an associate of former Olympic snowboarder Ryan Wedding. Prosecutors allege Alcántara received the payment in February 2025 before granting Clark bail. Clark was subsequently rearrested and transferred to the United States. Alcántara faces nine federal charges, with US authorities seeking extradition and a potential 15-year prison sentence per count if convicted.

A Mexican judge, Luis Benítez Alcántara, has been arrested in Colombia for allegedly accepting a $2 million bribe to release Canadian drug trafficking suspect Andrew Clark.

According to the US Department of Justice, as reported by Peoples Gazette, Alcántara, 49, was arrested on November 1, 2026, and faces nine counts of being an accessory after the fact.

Prosecutors allege that Alcántara received the bribe on February 24, 2025, before granting Clark bail and ordering his release.

Clark, 36, is accused of serving as second-in-command to Ryan Wedding, a former Canadian Olympic snowboarder allegedly involved in international drug trafficking and murder.

Clark was rearrested days later and transferred to the United States for prosecution.

US Attorney General Todd Blanche declared:

“Crooked public officials, no matter where they are, who assist drug traffickers operating here at home, will face justice in the United States.”

Authorities are seeking Alcántara’s extradition from Colombia.

If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of 15 years’ imprisonment on each count.