Calgary Man Denied Bail in Ryan Wedding Cartel Case Pending Extradition
A Calgary man accused of ties to a massive international drug cartel led by former Canadian snowboarding Olympian Ryan Wedding has been denied bail pending an extradition hearing to California. Justice Paul Jeffrey of the Calgary Court of King's Bench ruled on Friday that Allistair Chapman must remain behind bars, citing serious allegations including involvement in the killing of a potential witness in Colombia.
Charges Include Witness Killing in Colombia
The judge noted that the charges against Chapman are particularly grave, as they involve "not only the killing of an individual, but the killing of a person who was going to testify ... a justice system participant." Jeffrey emphasized that such acts have "the added effect of eroding the rule of law," undermining public confidence in the administration of justice.
Chapman, described as the accused ringleader of the Calgary drug cartel at the center of ALERT's "Project Arbour," was arrested in a major U.S. bust. He previously played hockey for both the Calgary Royals and the Drayton Valley Thunder of the AJHL during the 2008-09 season.
Judge Cites Erosion of Justice Confidence
While Chapman's defense established that he was not a flight risk or likely to reoffend, Justice Jeffrey ruled that releasing him on such serious allegations could erode confidence in the justice system. The judge highlighted the extensive investigation undertaken by multiple law enforcement jurisdictions across North America that led to arrests in the case.
One specific allegation involves Chapman paying $10,000 to a website owner on behalf of the drug trafficking organization to post information labeling Jonathan Acebedo-Garcia as a "rat." Acebedo-Garcia, who allegedly turned on the organization and became a federal witness in the U.S., was fatally shot over a year ago in a Medellin, Colombia restaurant.
Defense Arguments and Comparisons Rejected
Lead defense counsel Noel O'Brien argued for Chapman's release on strict conditions, pointing to the case of Toronto lawyer Deepak Paradkar, who was granted bail in Ontario despite being accused of being a more senior member of the same cartel. However, Justice Jeffrey noted that Paradkar's circumstances were different, as he has health issues including a heart condition and diabetes that would make his detention more onerous.
"The additional circumstances in Mr. Paradkar's case were just enough to tip the balance," Jeffrey explained, distinguishing the two cases.
Prosecution Arguments and Ongoing Risks
During submissions earlier this month, Canadian Department of Justice lawyer Anne-Renee Touchette argued that Chapman remains a risk due to his alleged continued association with members of Wedding's organization. "He has been a loyal soldier to the organization," Touchette stated, opposing his release.
O'Brien countered that there was little evidence directly linking Chapman to the massive drug trafficking organization or the murder of Acebedo-Garcia. Despite these arguments, the judge's decision to deny bail underscores the severity of the charges and the international scope of the investigation.
The case continues to unfold as Chapman awaits his extradition hearing, with implications for cross-border drug enforcement and witness protection protocols.
