Latest news with #Wedding
Global News
14 hours ago
- Global News
Man accused of aiding Canadian Olympian's alleged drug network set for U.S. extradition
The first of four Canadians arrested last October in Ontario in relation to an alleged transnational drug trafficking ring has consented to his surrender to the United States. Wearing a blue sweatshirt, Rakhim Ibragimov looked relaxed and smiled at a woman sitting in the gallery of the downtown Toronto courtroom, as his lawyer Harval Bassi told Superior Court Justice Peter Bawden that Igragimov would be waiving his right to an extradition hearing. In October 2024, Ibragimov and three other Canadians were arrested by Canadian law enforcement at the request of United States authorities for their roles in an alleged drug-smuggling network linked to the Mexican Cartel. The alleged leader of the network, former Canadian Olympic snowboarder Ryan James Wedding, remains at large and is on the list of the top 10 most wanted fugitives by the FBI. In March, the FBI also announced up to $10 million for information leading to the arrest and/or conviction of Wedding, who participated in the giant slalom snowboarding event for Canada in the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, Utah. He is last known to be residing in Mexico. Story continues below advertisement Kieran Gill, prosecutor for the attorney general of Canada told court that Ibragimov is wanted by the United States in relation to his role as 'a courier' on behalf of the drug transportation network. Gill said it's alleged that Ibragimov worked with individuals based out of Mexico including Wedding and Andrew Clark, another Canadian who was arrested in Mexico last October. Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy 'He (Ibragimov) was arrested om April 9, 2024, while transporting 330 kg of cocaine from Wedding's courier into his vehicle,' Gill told Bawden in her synopsis of the allegations. 'That's his role in the large conspiracy to move cocaine from the US into Canada.' As part of FBI Operation Giant Slalom, U.S. authorities indicted 16 people including 10 Canadians for a range of serious charges, including drug trafficking, murder, conspiracy to murder and continuing a criminal enterprise. At the time of the arrests, the U.S. Attorney's Office in California said the defendants were charged with allegedly running and participating in a transnational drug trafficking operation that routinely shipped hundreds of kilograms of cocaine from Columbia, through Mexico and Southern California, to Canada and other locations in the United States. It also alleged the drug network's 'leaders orchestrated multiple murders in furtherance of these drug crimes.' It's alleged that Wedding, Clark and others conspired to ship bulk quantities of cocaine — weighing hundreds of kilograms — from Southern California to Canada through a Canada-based drug transportation network run by Hardeep Ratte, 45, and Gurpreet Singh, 30, both from Ontario, from approximately January 2024 to August 2024. Story continues below advertisement 'The cocaine shipments were transported from Mexico to the Los Angeles area, where the cocaine trafficking organization's operatives would store the cocaine in stash houses, before delivering it to the transportation network couriers for transportation to Canada using long-haul semi-trucks,' said the U.S. Attorney's Office. Wedding and Clark allegedly directed the Nov. 20, 2023 murders of a Jagtar Singh Sidhu, 57 and Harbhajan Kaur Sidhu, 55 in Caledon, Ont. Their daughter was also shot but survived, suffering serious physical injuries. According to U.S. officials, the murders were in retaliation for a stolen drug shipment that passed through southern Ontario. When the charges were announced, the OPP said the victims were not involved in drug trafficking and were 'completely innocent'. Wedding and Clark allegedly also ordered the murder of another victim on May 18, 2024, over a drug debt. Peel police said the victim was a 39-year-old man from Brampton. Clark and Malik Damion Cunningham, 23, another Canadian, are also charged with the April 1, 2024, murder of Randy Fader, a Niagara Falls man who was gunned down outside his home. Ratte began a bail hearing in January but it was never completed. An extradition hearing has yet to be set for him. Gurpreet Singh was denied bail in February. His extradition hearing has yet to be scheduled along with an extradition hearing for Cunningham. Story continues below advertisement Canada's justice minister, Sean Fraser, must now ask for a surrender order so that Ibragimov can be sent to California, which could happen at any time. It's there he will stand trial on drug trafficking charges.
16 hours ago
Fugitive ex-Olympian's alleged cocaine courier agrees to U.S. extradition
A Toronto-area man known to associates as the Russian — accused of conspiring to smuggle cocaine on behalf of a former Olympic snowboarder — has agreed to be extradited to the U.S. Rakhim Ibragimov appeared in a downtown Toronto court Tuesday morning, for what was scheduled to be an hours-long extradition hearing. Instead, Ibragimov's lawyer Harval Bassi told the judge his client was consenting to his surrender to the U.S. That is correct, Ibragimov told Ontario Superior Court Justice Peter Bawden. Enlarge image (new window) An estimated 201 kilograms of suspected cocaine, seized as part of the U.S. federal law enforcement operation targeting Ryan Wedding's alleged transnational criminal enterprise. Photo: U.S. District Court, Central District of California The Uzbekistan-born Ibragimov, 48, faces conspiracy charges in Los Angeles, where he's expected to stand trial early next year alongside several other associates of Ryan Wedding. Wedding, who competed for Canada as a snowboarder at the 2002 Olympic Games in Utah, is listed as one of the FBI's 10 most-wanted fugitives. Born in Thunder Bay, Ont., he's suspected of living in Mexico, while leading a cartel-linked drug-trafficking organization tied to multiple murders. Kiran Gill, a lawyer representing the Attorney General of Canada told court Ibragimov had been identified as a courier for Wedding's network. According to U.S. investigators, Ibragimov was caught near L.A. in April 2024 as he loaded boxes filled with 375 kilograms of cocaine – apparently destined for Canada – into his rental car. Wedding's network is accused of using the area as a logistics hub for its $1-billion US cocaine and fentanyl smuggling operation. At the time, Ibragimov was detained and then allowed to return to Ontario. He was again arrested last fall, this time by Toronto police, as U.S. authorities moved in on more than a dozen of Wedding's alleged co-conspirators in Canada, the U.S, Mexico and Colombia. WATCH | From Olympian to fugitive: Sporting a hoodie and a grey goatee in the prisoner's box on Tuesday, Ibragimov smiled and waved at a woman in the public gallery. According to the U.S. indictment, his co-defendants referred to Ibragimov as the Russian in encrypted messages later intercepted by investigators. He acknowledged to the judge that by consenting to his surrender, he's waiving his right to a 30-day delay before extradition. You're ready to go any time, correct, sir? Bawden asked. Yes, Ibragimov said. Enlarge image (new window) Four of the 9 Canadian men charged alongside Ryan Wedding appeared by video link in Superior Court in Toronto on Oct. 23, 2024. The U.S. is seeking their extradition. Photo: Radio-Canada / Alexandra Newbould/CBC Ibragimov and several co-defendants are scheduled to stand trial next February in federal court in L.A. Ten Canadians are among those indicted, including an uncle and his nephew accused of co-ordinating drug shipments, a Toronto-based alleged hitman known as Mr. Perfect, and Wedding's top lieutenant, Andrew Clark (new window) . Between them, Wedding and Clark are charged with orchestrating four murders in Ontario. A spokesperson for the U.S. Attorney's Office told CBC News next year's trial is set to proceed even if Wedding — the lead defendant — is not captured by then. The RCMP has said the 43-year-old poses one of the largest organized crime threats to Canada, even as a fugitive. The U.S. State Dept. is offering a $10-million US reward for information leading to Wedding's arrest.
Yahoo
17 hours ago
- Yahoo
Fugitive ex-Olympian's alleged cocaine courier agrees to U.S. extradition
A Toronto-area man known to associates as the "Russian" – accused of conspiring to smuggle cocaine on behalf of a former Olympic snowboarder – has agreed to be extradited to the U.S. Rakhim Ibragimov appeared in a downtown Toronto court Tuesday morning, for what was scheduled to be an hours-long extradition hearing. Instead, Ibragimov's lawyer Harval Bassi told the judge his client was consenting to his surrender to the U.S. "That is correct," Ibragimov told Ontario Superior Court Justice Peter Bawden. The Uzbekistan-born Ibragimov, 48, faces conspiracy charges in Los Angeles, where he's expected to stand trial early next year alongside several other associates of Ryan Wedding. Wedding, who competed for Canada as a snowboarder at the 2002 Olympic Games in Utah, is listed as one of the FBI's 10 most-wanted fugitives. Born in Thunder Bay, Ont., he's suspected of living in Mexico, while leading a cartel-linked drug-trafficking organization tied to multiple murders. Kiran Gill, a lawyer representing the Attorney General of Canada told court Ibragimov had been identified as a "courier" for Wedding's network. According to U.S. investigators, Ibragimov was caught near L.A. in April 2024 as he loaded boxes filled with 375 kilograms of cocaine – apparently destined for Canada – into his rental car. Wedding's network is accused of using the area as a logistics hub for its $1-billion US cocaine and fentanyl smuggling operation. At the time, Ibragimov was detained and then allowed to return to Ontario. He was again arrested last fall, this time by Toronto police, as U.S. authorities moved in on more than a dozen of Wedding's alleged co-conspirators in Canada, the U.S, Mexico and a hoodie and a grey goatee in the prisoner box on Tuesday, Ibragimov smiled and waved at a woman in the public gallery. According to the U.S. indictment, his co-defendants referred to Ibragimov as the "Russian" in encrypted messages later intercepted by investigators. He acknowledged to the judge that by consenting to his surrender, he's waiving his right to a 30-day delay before extradition. "You're ready to go any time, correct, sir?" Bawden asked. "Yes," Ibragimov said. Ibragimov and several co-defendants are scheduled to stand trial next February in federal court in L.A. Ten Canadians are among those indicted, including an uncle and his nephew accused of co-ordinating drug shipments, a Toronto-based alleged hitman known as "Mr. Perfect," and Wedding's top lieutenant, Andrew Clark. Between them, Wedding and Clark are charged with orchestrating four murders in Ontario. A spokesperson for the U.S. Attorney's Office told CBC News next year's trial is set to proceed even if Wedding – the lead defendant – is not captured by then. The RCMP has said the 43-year-old poses "one of the largest organized crime threats to Canada, even as a fugitive." The U.S. State Dept. is offering a $10-million US reward for information leading to Wedding's arrest.
CBC
17 hours ago
- CBC
Fugitive ex-Olympian's alleged cocaine courier agrees to U.S. extradition
Social Sharing A Toronto-area man known to associates as the "Russian" – accused of conspiring to smuggle cocaine on behalf of a former Olympic snowboarder – has agreed to be extradited to the U.S. Rakhim Ibragimov appeared in a downtown Toronto court Tuesday morning, for what was scheduled to be an hours-long extradition hearing. Instead, Ibragimov's lawyer Harval Bassi told the judge his client was consenting to his surrender to the U.S. "That is correct," Ibragimov told Ontario Superior Court Justice Peter Bawden. The Uzbekistan-born Ibragimov, 48, faces conspiracy charges in Los Angeles, where he's expected to stand trial early next year alongside several other associates of Ryan Wedding. Wedding, who competed for Canada as a snowboarder at the 2002 Olympic Games in Utah, is listed as one of the FBI's 10 most-wanted fugitives. Born in Thunder Bay, Ont., he's suspected of living in Mexico, while leading a cartel-linked drug-trafficking organization tied to multiple murders. Kiran Gill, a lawyer representing the Attorney General of Canada told court Ibragimov had been identified as a "courier" for Wedding's network. According to U.S. investigators, Ibragimov was caught near L.A. in April 2024 as he loaded boxes filled with 375 kilograms of cocaine – apparently destined for Canada – into his rental car. Wedding's network is accused of using the area as a logistics hub for its $1-billion US cocaine and fentanyl smuggling operation. At the time, Ibragimov was detained and then allowed to return to Ontario. He was again arrested last fall, this time by Toronto police, as U.S. authorities moved in on more than a dozen of Wedding's alleged co-conspirators in Canada, the U.S, Mexico and Colombia. WATCH | From Olympian to fugitive: Ryan Wedding's path from Olympian to most-wanted fugitive 5 months ago Ryan Wedding once represented Canada as an Olympic snowboarder; now he's accused of being a drug kingpin and is on the FBI's most wanted list — with a $10 million US reward being offered for information leading to his arrest. CBC's Thomas Daigle traces his shocking path from the top of the slopes to the underworld. Sporting a hoodie and a grey goatee in the prisoner box on Tuesday, Ibragimov smiled and waved at a woman in the public gallery. According to the U.S. indictment, his co-defendants referred to Ibragimov as the "Russian" in encrypted messages later intercepted by investigators. He acknowledged to the judge that by consenting to his surrender, he's waiving his right to a 30-day delay before extradition. "You're ready to go any time, correct, sir?" Bawden asked. "Yes," Ibragimov said. Ibragimov and several co-defendants are scheduled to stand trial next February in federal court in L.A. Ten Canadians are among those indicted, including an uncle and his nephew accused of co-ordinating drug shipments, a Toronto-based alleged hitman known as "Mr. Perfect," and Wedding's top lieutenant, Andrew Clark. Between them, Wedding and Clark are charged with orchestrating four murders in Ontario. A spokesperson for the U.S. Attorney's Office told CBC News next year's trial is set to proceed even if Wedding – the lead defendant – is not captured by then. The RCMP has said the 43-year-old poses "one of the largest organized crime threats to Canada, even as a fugitive."
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Bradley Cooper and Gigi Hadid's Relationship Status Might Change 'In the Next Couple of Months'
Wedding bells might be ringing sooner for Bradley Cooper and Gigi Hadid. The "American Sniper" actor is reportedly gearing up to pop the big question soon, as he and the model become even more serious about starting their own blended family. The move comes months after Hadid was seen enjoying a stroll with Cooper's daughter, giving fans a glimpse into her future as a stepmother. Bradley Cooper And Gigi Hadid Want A Family Of Their Own Insiders claim Cooper and Hadid are on the same page about having a child together despite each having daughters from separate relationships. The "Maestro" actor shares a 7-year-old daughter, Lea De Seine, with his former partner, model Irina Shayk, while Hadid co-parents her 5-year-old daughter, Khai, with her ex-boyfriend, Zayn Malik. Cooper is "considering marriage and kids with Gigi," the source alleged. With their children around the same age and both families already blending, walking down the aisle seems like a natural next step. "He might pop the question in the next couple of months," the informant told Page Six. Gigi Hadid And Bradley Cooper Are In A 'Bubble' Despite a 20-year age gap, Hadid and Cooper have continued to grow stronger as a couple since they debuted their romance in October 2023. Their close bond even reflects in their children's relationship, as sources claim the kids spend time together and have playdates. As a result, Hadid and Cooper are keen on bringing an additional child or children into the mix. "They could picture a blended family with their daughters and their own kids," the informant noted. Luckily, the lovebirds' relationship is strong enough to withstand the adjustments that come with having more children, if that happens. Cooper and Hadid are "incredibly happy and are in their own bubble," added the source. Gigi Hadid Earns Praises For Future Stepmother Role Reports of impending wedding bells come almost a month after Hadid was spotted in New York City enjoying an affectionate stroll with Cooper's daughter, Lea. As The Blast reported, the model and Lea were photographed strolling leisurely in the Big Apple while sharing a keen conversation. The 30-year-old dressed casual for the outing in a white top, cardigan, and high-waisted jeans paired with Vans sneakers. Hadid accessorized with a tote bag, simple jewelry, and sunglasses. Cooper's daughter proudly represented her father, wearing a Metallica top that honors her dad's favorite band. The seven-year-old finished off her look with a floral-patterned skirt and grey sneakers. Although the "Silver Linings Playbook" actor was absent during the stroll, Lea looked super comfortable hanging with the model. The 'Ocean's 8' Star Is A Mother Figure To Bradley Cooper's Daughter The NYC outing got tongues wagging, with fans praising how easily the model integrated herself into Cooper's world. A source shared insight on Lea and Hadid's bond, saying the IMG model treats Lea "as if she were her own" and in return the preschooler "sees Gigi as a mother figure in return." Although Shayk remains in the picture, the Russian model reportedly approves of the relationship. Luckily, Cooper shared a similar bond with his girlfriend's daughter, Khai, and has the stamp of approval from Malik. "Lea has also become like a big sister to Khai, and the two girls share a strong relationship," the informant noted. "Khai has grown up with Bradley and Lea as a regular part of her life, and she sees Bradley as a father figure - something Zayn supports as well." Gigi Hadid's Family Gives Bradley Cooper Romance The Green Light Fans aren't the only ones excited about Cooper and Hadid's pairing, as the model's family is also very much on board. The Blast previously reported that a source told People Magazine that the Hadid family is extremely supportive due to how happy their daughter appears with the award-winning Hollywood star. "Gigi's family is so happy for her, and they absolutely adore Bradley. He is such a gentleman, and he blends so seamlessly into their family," the insider explained. "Gigi and Bradley have a lot in common, and his daughter, Lea, is so sweet and gentle with Khai." The source continued, "Bradley is different from any of Gigi's past relationships, and they've never seen her this happy with a partner before." Solve the daily Crossword
