Who is Deepak Paradkar? Olympian turned alleged drug kingpin Ryan Wedding’s lawyer gets expensive bail

The arrest and release of Deepak Paradkar have sent shockwaves through Canada’s legal and law enforcement circles. Paradkar now stands accused of playing a central role in an alleged international drug operation tied to one of the FBI’s most wanted fugitives.On Tuesday morning, the Ontario Superior Court of Justice granted Paradkar bail, setting it at an extraordinary $5.25 million. The decision came despite warnings from federal prosecutors who argued that Paradkar’s release could put his life and his family in danger, given the violent nature of the organization he is accused of being connected to.Deepak Paradkar is a Toronto-based lawyer who was arrested on suspicion of his link to Olympian turned alleged drug kingpin Ryan Wedding. Justice Peter Bawden ordered that Paradkar, 62, be released under strict supervision. “Mr. Paradkar will be released on a $5,250,000 surety bail,” the ruling stated. His wife and her cousin were named as sureties and will be responsible for ensuring he follows court orders. Final bail conditions are expected to be determined later.Federal lawyers argued that Paradkar was a liability to Ryan Wedding’s alleged network and could be targeted if released. They also claimed the evidence against him was overwhelming, raising concerns he might flee. Justice Bawden rejected that assessment. “In my view, an experienced defence lawyer would not characterize this as an overwhelming case for conviction,” he said.Health concerns played a major role in the ruling. Paradkar has diabetes and a serious cardiac history. “His safety cannot be assured in jail, and he would be in a poor position to defend himself if attacked,” Bawden added, noting that house arrest and family supervision reduced risk.U.S. prosecutors allege Paradkar acted as a trusted legal adviser to Ryan Wedding, a former Canadian Olympic snowboarder turned alleged drug kingpin. Wedding is accused of running a transnational cocaine operation linked to hundreds of kilograms of drugs moving from Colombia through Mexico and the United States into Canada.According to court filings, Paradkar allegedly used his position as a lawyer to gather intelligence, identify smuggling routes, and provide sensitive legal documents. Authorities also accuse him of advising Wedding to have an FBI informant killed. That witness was later shot dead in Colombia.Paradkar allegedly operated under aliases including “cocaine lawyer” and “Descartes.” If extradited and convicted in the United States, he could face a mandatory life sentence on charges including conspiracy to commit murder and retaliation against a witness.Wedding, who competed for Canada at the 2002 Winter Olympics, remains a fugitive believed to be hiding in Mexico. The U.S. State Department has offered a $15 million reward for information leading to his capture. Paradkar has denied all allegations.Also Read: “I want to get in that ring” – Not Anthony Joshua, Jake Paul’s mom wanted to punch British promoter after son’s devastating loss