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Ontario Lawyer Accused in U.S. Drug Case Granted $5 Million Bail Ahead of Extradition Fight

The judge cited doubts about key U.S. evidence in accepting a restrictive $5-million surety plan.

Overview

  • Ontario Superior Court Justice Peter Bawden granted bail in principle for Deepak Paradkar as he awaits U.S. extradition on murder-conspiracy, drug-trafficking and witness-tampering charges.
  • The release plan requires 24/7 house arrest with GPS monitoring, surrender of his passport and no access to electronic devices except under surety supervision.
  • In reasons delivered Tuesday, the judge cautioned about U.S. evidence that relies on a cooperating insider and data from a Canadian suspect’s phone obtained in Mexico.
  • Prosecutors argued Paradkar poses a flight risk based on alleged bulk-cash payments and luxury goods, while the defence cited family sureties, health concerns and a clean record.
  • U.S. filings link Paradkar to advice on the killing of witness Jonathan Acebedo-Garcia in Colombia and to the network of fugitive Ryan Wedding in Mexico, allegations he denies and that have not been proven in court.