Canadian Defence Lawyer Faces Serious Charges in International Crime Case
A prominent Canadian defence lawyer has been arrested and now faces serious allegations in the United States for his alleged involvement in a witness murder plot connected to a former Canadian Olympic athlete turned international drug lord.
Deepak Paradkar, known for his work defending high-profile clients including serial killer Dellen Millard, was taken into custody on Tuesday following announcements from U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi during a Washington, D.C. press conference.
The Shocking Allegations
According to the U.S. federal indictment, Paradkar is accused of assisting in orchestrating the January 2025 murder of a witness who was scheduled to testify against Ryan James Wedding. The victim was shot five times in the head at a restaurant in Colombia and died instantly.
The indictment charges 15 people total, including what officials described as a Canadian lawyer and a Latin pop star. Bilal A. Essayli, an assistant U.S. Attorney for the Central District of California, stated that Wedding allegedly placed a bounty on the victim's head, mistakenly believing the murder would result in dismissed criminal charges and prevent extradition to the United States.
Wedding competed for Canada in snowboarding at the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City before allegedly transforming into what authorities describe as a top-tier global narcotics boss.
Coordinated International Arrests
Law enforcement officials from both the United States and Canada coordinated the arrests of Paradkar along with six other individuals across Quebec, Ontario and Alberta. The arrests represent a significant breakthrough in the international investigation into Wedding's alleged criminal enterprise.
The indictment describes Paradkar as a dual citizen of Canada and India who allegedly became a member and associate of what authorities term the Wedding Criminal Enterprise.
Court documents allege that Paradkar advised Wedding and another associate named Clark to murder the witness to avoid extradition from Mexico on criminal charges filed in the 2024 indictment against them.
Additionally, Paradkar is accused of providing court documents and discovery materials that the defendants wouldn't otherwise have access to, along with facilitating access to other enterprise members through attorneys whose representation he secured.
Media Manipulation Allegations
Officials further allege that following advice from Paradkar, Wedding paid a Canadian website that publishes crime news to post photographs of both the witness and the witness's wife, potentially putting them at greater risk.
Paradkar could not be reached for comment prior to publication deadline, and an emailed request sent to a previously used email address went unanswered. Authorities confirmed he remains in custody as legal proceedings continue.
The case continues to develop as U.S. and Canadian authorities work together to unravel the full extent of the alleged criminal network and bring all involved parties to justice.
