The spouse of an Ontario lawyer allegedly concerned in a violent transnational drug ring headed by a former Canadian Olympian says she believes in his innocence.
Mandy Paradkar testified Thursday in a downtown Toronto courtroom through the bail listening to for her husband, Deepak Paradkar, who was arrested and charged final month for his reported involvement with Ryan Wedding.
Wedding, 44, is dealing with a number of homicide and drug costs stemming from his alleged drug empire that stretches throughout the Americas. FBI Director Kash Patel has described Wedding as a “modern-day iteration of Pablo Escobar.”
Crown legal professional Milica Potrebic requested Mandy, who’s proposing to be considered one of her husband’s sureties ought to he get bail, in regards to the couple’s funds, property and her function as a paralegal in his follow, which she was concerned in till she was recognized with colon most cancers in 2024.
She mentioned whereas Paradkar primarily dealt with the depositing of purchasers’ monies, not one of the quantities she noticed raised any issues, nor did she ever see her 62-year-old husband get any items from purchasers aside from alcohol or candies throughout their many years collectively.
His arrest final month has been “extraordinarily devastating” for the household’s emotional and monetary wellbeing, particularly given Paradkar was the only breadwinner. She mentioned if the allegations towards him have been confirmed to be true, it could have an effect on her belief in him.
“I take it with a heavy weight,” Mandy advised courtroom.
“I imagine in him, and I imagine in his innocence.”
Paradkar, who was arrested in Canada underneath the Extradition Act, is accused by American authorities of advising Wedding to homicide a key witness in order that Wedding and Andrew Clark, his reported second-in-command, would keep away from extradition from Mexico on 2024 prison costs towards them.
That witness was finally shot useless at a restaurant in Medellín, Colombia, on Jan. 31.
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Paradkar, who American authorities say has a number of aliases, together with the “cocaine lawyer,” allegedly offered Wedding with courtroom paperwork and proof from the 2014 prison case he wouldn’t in any other case have had entry to.
He’s additionally accused of introducing Wedding to trusted drug transport networks and overseeing data gathering after drug shipments have been seized by legislation enforcement.
The allegations towards Paradkar haven’t been examined in courtroom. Paradkar, whose licence to follow legislation in Ontario was suspended final week, has denied the allegations towards him and maintains his innocence.
Paradkar advised Superior Court Justice Peter Bawden Wednesday if he will get bail, he’ll comply with the “most stringent” launch plan he’s ever proposed in his profession.
Crown attorneys are arguing Paradkar’s detention pending his extradition is important due to flight threat, the necessity to defend the general public and need to keep up confidence within the justice system.
Paradkar advised Bawden Wednesday he isn’t a flight threat, and mentioned his launch plan includes 24-7 home arrest with no entry to digital gadgets apart from his spouse’s cellphone, which he would solely use in her presence for communication along with his legal professionals and sureties.
The plan additionally features a $5-million pledge between himself and his spouse, a $250,000 pledge from her cousin Mark Gallagher – one other proposed surety – GPS monitoring and the surrendering of his passport to police.
Paradkar added he has been topic to “very horrible situations” at Toronto South Detention Centre and Toronto East Detention Centre, and has had points acquiring treatment. He mentioned he has been recognized with Type 2 diabetes and underwent a quadruple bypass in 2018.
After Mandy’s testimony, Gallagher advised courtroom regardless of understanding Paradkar “most of my life,” he hasn’t seen him or spoken to him in 4 years. He mentioned he was conscious of the “horrible” allegations towards Paradkar, however didn’t have any issues for himself as a surety.
Meanwhile, a US$15-million bounty has been issued by the U.S. State Department for data that results in Wedding’s arrest or conviction.
The FBI has mentioned Wedding, who’s reportedly dwelling in Mexico underneath the safety of the Sinaloa Cartel, could also be altering his look and hair color to keep away from seize. Investigators launched a brand new photograph of him Tuesday to generate leads.
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