Mexican Judge Arrested in Colombia Over Bribe
A Mexican federal judge faces U.S. charges after allegedly accepting $2 million to release a Canadian drug trafficker on bond.
Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Drug Crime
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U.S. authorities announced the arrest of Mexican judge Luis Benítez Alcántara in Colombia, where he was detained on Sunday. He faces nine counts of being an accessory after the fact over an alleged $2 million bribe tied to ordering the release of Canadian drug trafficker Andrew Clark on bond.
Why it matters
The case alleges that a sitting judge was paid to undermine a drug-trafficking prosecution, raising questions about judicial integrity in cross-border criminal cases. It also shows the U.S. pursuing extradition of a foreign official tied to a case involving a former FBI Top Ten fugitive.
Benítez faces nine counts of being an accessory after the fact and the U.S. will request his extradition from Colombia. Clark's case remains pending in the United States, and Ryan Wedding has pleaded not guilty to 17 felony charges with trial set for March 31, 2027.
The players
Luis Benítez Alcántara
A Mexican federal judge accused of accepting a $2 million bribe to order the release of a drug trafficker.
Andrew Clark
A Canadian drug trafficker whose release on bond was allegedly ordered by Benítez before he was re-arrested and removed to the United States.
Ryan Wedding
A former FBI Top Ten Most Wanted fugitive who pleaded not guilty in January to 17 felony charges.
The details
Benítez, 49, allegedly granted bond to Clark and ordered his release on February 24, 2025, and according to the indictment received the full $2 million payment that same day. Clark was re-arrested days later and removed to the United States.
Timeline
February 24, 2025: Benítez allegedly orders Clark's release on bond.
Days later: Clark is re-arrested and removed to the United States.
January 2026: Ryan Wedding pleads not guilty to 17 felony charges.
Sunday, early November 2026: Benítez is arrested in Colombia.
March 31, 2027: First scheduled trial for Ryan Wedding.
Legal Context
The case extends the prosecution of Ryan Wedding, who was once on the FBI's Top Ten Most Wanted list, by linking it to an alleged corrupt foreign official. It shows U.S. prosecutors pursuing accessory charges against a sitting judge abroad, not just the traffickers themselves.
The case highlights how corruption in foreign courts can affect international drug enforcement, which matters to travelers and residents in regions where cross-border trafficking is prosecuted. Readers following drug-related corruption cases can track how extradition and trial outcomes unfold.
The takeaway
Cases involving alleged judicial corruption can take years to resolve across borders, so early charges are only the first step in a long legal process. Following extradition requests and scheduled trial dates offers the clearest view of how these prosecutions progress.
What happens next
Wedding's first trial is scheduled for March 31, 2027, and a second trial for October 26, 2027. Benítez's extradition from Colombia to the United States is expected to be requested.
Further reading
For more on related cases, explore Drug Crime coverage.
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Should corrupt officials who help drug traffickers face prosecution in the United States?
