Ontario Lawyer Linked to Alleged Cocaine Kingpin Faces Suspension

A lawyer in Ontario, Deepak Paradkar, is facing potential suspension or restriction of his legal license following serious allegations from U.S. authorities. Paradkar, often referred to as the “cocaine lawyer,” is implicated in advising Canadian snowboarder Ryan Wedding, who has been identified as an alleged cocaine kingpin. Wedding, who represented Canada in the 2002 Salt Lake City Games, is currently on the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list.

The accusations against Paradkar are severe. Reports indicate that he advised Wedding to murder a key witness in order to evade extradition from Mexico on drug-related charges. According to an indictment unsealed last month, the witness was shot five times in a restaurant in Medellín, Colombia, on January 31, 2024, resulting in an immediate death. Paradkar is also accused of providing Wedding with access to court documents and evidence that should not have been available to him.

The Law Society of Ontario, which oversees legal practitioners in the province, has responded by seeking to suspend or restrict Paradkar’s ability to practice law. In a motion filed with the Law Society Tribunal on November 26, 2024, the society emphasized the potential public risk posed by Paradkar’s actions, stating, “The responding party is facing very serious criminal charges in the United States of America involving conspiracy to murder a witness, conspiracy to export and distribute cocaine, and engaging in a criminal enterprise.”

The Law Society believes that if the suspension is not granted, there is a significant risk of harm to the public and the integrity of the justice system. The tribunal has scheduled a hearing for Friday at 10 a.m. eastern time to consider the motion.

Paradkar, 62, has not yet had the allegations tested in court. The outcome of the tribunal hearing will determine his future in the legal profession and the implications for ongoing investigations related to Wedding’s alleged drug activities. The community remains vigilant as this high-profile case unfolds, highlighting the intersection of law, crime, and the responsibility of legal practitioners.