Deepak Paradkar, a prominent criminal defense attorney from Brampton, Ontario, has been arrested in connection with a significant cocaine smuggling operation. He is one of seven Canadians charged in relation to alleged drug lord Ryan Wedding, who is wanted by the FBI. Paradkar faces serious allegations, including advising Wedding on the murder of a cooperating FBI witness.

The arrest occurred on Tuesday, with U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi stating that Paradkar resisted arrest. He is now facing extradition to the United States to answer charges in the Central District of California. The indictment, unsealed on Wednesday, refers to Paradkar as the “cocaine_lawyer,” a nickname derived from his former social media handle.

According to the indictment, Paradkar allegedly counseled Wedding and his associate, Andrew Clark, on how to eliminate a witness to prevent extradition from Mexico. The witness, Jonathan Acabedo-Garcia, was killed in Medellin, Colombia, in January 2025. The U.S. Department of Justice claims that Wedding offered a multi-million-dollar bounty for the witness's death, which was intended to undermine the FBI's case against him.

RCMP Commissioner Mike Duheme, alongside U.S. law enforcement officials, addressed the media, emphasizing the seriousness of the charges. "The murder of a witness in Colombia earlier this year was a cruel, cold-blooded act that could not and did not go unanswered," said Bill Essayli, an assistant in the Central District of California.

The indictment also alleges that Paradkar assisted Wedding in navigating legal challenges related to drug trafficking. He is accused of providing court documents and facilitating access to individuals involved in the drug trade, including those under investigation.

Paradkar has been a well-known figure in Ontario's legal community for decades, often engaging with the media during high-profile trials. His arrest has shocked many in the criminal law community. Lawyer Gary Batasar described Paradkar as “an interesting person” and noted the gravity of the allegations against him.

Previously, Paradkar faced scrutiny for his social media presence, particularly for posts that referenced organized crime and drug-related activities. In 2017, he withdrew from representing serial killer Dellen Millard amid allegations of delivering threatening letters from jail. Paradkar denied any wrongdoing in that case.

The Law Society of Ontario has stated it will investigate Paradkar's current legal status following his arrest. The organization emphasized the importance of public confidence in the legal profession and the administration of justice.

Boris Bytensky, president of the Ontario Criminal Lawyers’ Association, remarked on the unusual nature of the allegations against Paradkar, highlighting the need for caution in rushing to judgment.

Additionally, the U.S. Department of Justice has initiated immigration actions against Paradkar's daughter, Madeline, a lawyer based in Chicago, although no direct connection to the ongoing case has been established.

As the legal proceedings unfold, Paradkar's future remains uncertain, with extradition to the U.S. pending and serious charges looming over him.