Mexican Judge Arrested in Alleged $2 Million Drug Trafficking Bribe

Luis Benítez Alcántara, 49, was arrested in Colombia on November 1 in an international law enforcement operation. A nine-count U.S. indictment accuses the Mexican judge of acting as an accessory after the fact by helping a suspected drug trafficker avoid prosecution or punishment. U.S. officials said they will seek his extradition from Colombia.

Prosecutors allege Benítez accepted $2 million from Andrew Clark, a Canadian citizen accused of being second-in-command in a drug trafficking organization allegedly led by former Olympic snowboarder Ryan Wedding. Benítez was overseeing Clark’s extradition proceedings in Mexico City.

Investigators allege that from November 2024 to February 2025, Clark arranged transfers totaling about $2.75 million through intermediaries. On February 24, 2025, Benítez allegedly received the full $2 million and ordered Clark released on bond. Clark was arrested again days later and taken to the United States.

Clark faces U.S. drug trafficking and murder charges. Wedding, who was arrested in Mexico in January 2026 and brought to California, has pleaded not guilty to drug and murder charges. The investigation into the alleged network has led to dozens of arrests and seizures of drugs, weapons, cash and property.

U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche said public officials who help drug traffickers would face justice in the United States. Benítez faces up to 15 years of federal incarceration per individual charge if convicted. His lawyer was not immediately known, and U.S. officials have not announced when his extradition proceedings may conclude.