Mexican judge accused by U.S. of taking bribes in major drug case

Benítez, 49, was arrested Sunday in Colombia and charged in a nine-count indictment with being an accessory after the fact. He was overseeing extradition proceedings in Mexico in 2024 for Clark, who was charged in the U.S. with helping to run a billion-dollar drug trafficking group allegedly headed by Wedding.

Bribery and Release

According to the Justice Department statement, Benítez is accused of releasing Clark from custody after accepting the bribe payments. Clark was arrested days after his release and extradited to the United States, where he faces drug trafficking and murder charges.

Wedding's Network

The case is part of a larger U.S. investigation into a multinational drug trafficking network allegedly run by Wedding, who was arrested in Mexico earlier this year and flown to California, where he pleaded not guilty to murder and drug charges.

FBI Director Kash Patel called Wedding "a modern-day 'El Chapo,'" referring to Joaquin Guzman, the former leader of the Sinaloa Cartel. Wedding allegedly operated as a member of this cartel and used aliases including "El Jefe," "Giant" and "Public Enemy." He was added to the FBI's Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list prior to his arrest.

Investigation Scope

Dozens of people have been arrested in connection with the alleged drug network, and authorities have seized large volumes of drugs, weapons, cash, and luxury items including automobiles, motorcycles, artwork and jewelry.

U.S. officials will request Benítez's extradition from Colombia to face the charges. Wedding competed in the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City before allegedly running his drug operation, which moved cocaine from Colombia through Mexico to the U.S. and Canada.