Defense Lawyer’s Alarming Betrayal: Witness Murder

This is a story of unprecedented corruption and betrayal at the highest levels of professional achievement and legal ethics. Former Olympic snowboarder Ryan Wedding transitioned from athletic glory to running a billion-dollar cocaine empire with ties to the Sinaloa Cartel. In a surprising turn of events, his defense attorney, Deepak Paradkar, now stands accused of orchestrating the murder of a federal witness to protect his client. This international conspiracy has resulted in eleven arrests and a $15 million FBI manhunt for the fugitive Olympian, exposing a systemic failure in justice and oversight.

Story Highlights

Former Olympic snowboarder Ryan Wedding leads billion-dollar cocaine operation with Sinaloa Cartel ties.
Defense attorney Deepak Paradkar allegedly advised on witness murder to obstruct federal prosecution.
Eleven arrests made in international conspiracy spanning Canada, US, Mexico, and Colombia.
FBI offers $15 million reward for Wedding’s capture as he remains fugitive in Mexico.

Olympic Glory to Criminal Empire

Ryan Wedding competed for Canada in the 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Olympics as a snowboarder, representing the pinnacle of athletic achievement. His fall from grace began with a 2010 cocaine distribution conviction in the United States. After serving his sentence, Wedding rebuilt his criminal network with unprecedented sophistication, leveraging connections to the Sinaloa Cartel. The operation used Southern California as a distribution hub, moving massive quantities of cocaine from Colombia throughout North America.

Wedding’s network generated billions in revenue while maintaining cartel protection in Mexico, where he currently evades capture. The scale of the operation dwarfs typical trafficking cases, with law enforcement describing it as one of the most significant cartel-linked networks ever disrupted in Canada. His transition from Olympic competitor to international fugitive represents a stunning corruption of athletic values and personal responsibility.

🚨 BOMBSHELL DOJ INDICTMENT: Former Olympic Snowboarder Turned Cartel Kingpin Ryan Wedding Charged with Ordering Murder of Federal Witness + Massive Cocaine Empire! 💥🇨🇦❄️→🔥 pic.twitter.com/xVv0JlFO4N

— Jason Hughes (@JasonHughes716) November 20, 2025

Lawyer’s Betrayal of Legal Ethics

Defense attorney Deepak Paradkar allegedly crossed every ethical boundary by advising Wedding on murdering a federal witness in Colombia. The January 31, 2025 killing in Medellín was orchestrated to obstruct justice and protect the criminal enterprise from prosecution. Paradkar’s involvement represents an unprecedented breach of attorney-client privilege, transforming legal counsel into criminal conspiracy. This betrayal undermines the entire foundation of legal representation and due process.

The murder plot involved sophisticated coordination using social media operator Gursewak Singh Bal, who ran “the Dirty News” to expose the witness’s location. Alleged hitman Atna Ohna tracked and facilitated the killing, while other associates provided logistical support. The conspiracy demonstrates how criminal networks exploit legitimate institutions, including the legal profession, to advance their violent objectives and evade accountability.

International Law Enforcement Response

The Department of Justice unsealed indictments in November 2025, resulting in eleven arrests across multiple jurisdictions. Wedding was added to the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted list in March 2025, with authorities offering a $15 million reward for his capture. The investigation required unprecedented cooperation between US, Canadian, and Colombian law enforcement agencies to disrupt the transnational network.

The case has prompted calls for stronger oversight of legal professionals and enhanced monitoring of post-conviction offenders with international connections. Wedding’s ability to rebuild his criminal empire after serving time highlights systematic failures in rehabilitation and supervision. The violence escalated to include the mistaken murder of innocent family members in Ontario in November 2023, demonstrating the deadly consequences of unchecked criminal enterprises operating across borders.

Watch the report: Former Olympian turned alleged drug kingpin accused of ordering killing of witness