1st co-defendant in drug trafficking case allegedly linked to former Olympian asks for bail
CBC
One of four co-defendants in a transnational drug-trafficking case allegedly involving a former Canadian Olympian is asking an Ontario court to release him on bail before he is potentially extradited to the United States, where he faces charges that could put him in prison for life.
Hardeep Ratte was charged with drug trafficking in connection with two cocaine shipments from Los Angeles to Canada in March and April 2024, as part of a drug ring allegedly led by former Olympic snowboarder Ryan Wedding, who remains on the run.
The U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation, which is represented by the Crown in the current case before an Ontario court, says in court documents that the shipments contained 293 and 375 kilograms of cocaine.
The FBI claims that Ratte agreed to transport cocaine for Wedding at a flat rate of $220,000 Cdn per shipment, court documents show.
Ratte is the first co-defendant in the case to appear in court. The other three co-accused, including his nephew Gurpreet Singh, are also awaiting their respective bail hearings in custody.
The FBI claims Ratte was the principal leader of a drug transportation network in Canada, along with Singh. He faces drug trafficking charges in the U.S., where authorities are seeking his extradition.
U.S. authorities estimate the street value of the total amount of cocaine transported by Ratte and his couriers to be about $8.45 million to $9.1 million, according to an agreed statement of facts. Based on that, Ratte would face the mandatory minimum of life in prison in the U.S, according to court documents.
On Thursday, Ratte's wife, sister-in-law and sister were examined by the court at Ratte's bail hearing in Toronto, all offering to pledge $200,000 as sureties for his release.
Ratte's wife told the court she has a release plan to monitor him at all times in their Brampton home, and would be happy if the court made her husband wear an ankle bracelet and took his passport. She told the court this week that she has five properties and is willing to pledge the value of them as well if the court requires more money for bail.
"I would pledge whatever I can, risking losing everything we have built together in our lives," she said. "I want to show I am serious about this [release] plan."
Ratte's wife said she was shocked when her husband, with whom she has two children, was arrested.
His bail hearing continues Friday.
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