Toronto: Federal prosecutors have moved the Ontario Court of Appeal to overturn the bail granted to Deepak Paradkar, a Toronto-area lawyer accused of playing a key role in an alleged international drug trafficking network connected to former Olympic snowboarder Ryan Wedding.
The Attorney General of Canada is seeking an order to keep the 62-year-old in custody pending his extradition hearing to the United States, arguing that his release risks undermining public confidence in the justice system and could compromise Canada’s ability to meet its international treaty obligations. Prosecutors maintain that the seriousness of the allegations and the broader implications of the case warrant stricter judicial oversight.
Paradkar was arrested last fall alongside several other Canadians following a sweeping FBI investigation targeting Wedding, who is accused of leading a cross-border drug smuggling operation. Authorities allege that Paradkar advised Wedding in connection with the planned murder of a federal witness, facilitated introductions to drug traffickers operating across North America, and assisted in gathering intelligence after narcotics were seized by law enforcement agencies.
In December, a Superior Court judge granted Paradkar bail under stringent conditions, including round-the-clock house arrest, GPS monitoring, and restricted access to electronic devices, which is only permitted under supervision. A joint bail pledge of $5 million was secured by Paradkar and his wife, who was accepted by the court as the primary surety. The judge concluded that Paradkar was unlikely to flee, noting that remaining compliant with bail conditions may be his safest option given the potential risks from criminal associates. The court also considered his medical history, including diabetes and prior heart issues, as a factor supporting his release.
However, federal prosecutors have strongly challenged that decision, asserting that the judge failed to properly assess critical elements of the case. In their appeal, they argue that insufficient scrutiny was applied to Paradkar’s wife in her role as surety, particularly given her involvement in his professional affairs and the family’s financial circumstances. The Crown further points to what it describes as a significant gap between the family’s reported income and their apparent affluent lifestyle, raising concerns about undisclosed financial resources.
The prosecution also contends that the judge relied on speculative reasoning in suggesting that Paradkar would be at greater risk if he attempted to flee, arguing that such conclusions lack evidentiary support. Additionally, they submit that undue weight was placed on Paradkar’s health, noting that his condition has remained stable in recent years and has not prevented him from travelling internationally or functioning normally.
As the extradition proceedings continue in Canada, U.S. authorities are preparing to prosecute Wedding, who was arrested earlier this year in Mexico after an extended manhunt. The 44-year-old, originally from Thunder Bay, Ontario, had been listed among the FBI’s most wanted fugitives and is accused of orchestrating multiple killings, including that of a witness connected to a 2024 narcotics investigation.
The outcome of the appeal is expected to play a significant role not only in determining Paradkar’s custody status but also in reinforcing the legal standards applied in high-profile international criminal cases involving Canada and its global partners.