Accused in Ryan Wedding case makes bid for bail ahead of extradition hearing
Written by The Canadian Press on January 12, 2026
TORONTO — An Ontario man accused of laundering funds for an international drug smuggling operation is taking the stand in a Toronto courtroom as he makes his bid for release ahead of his extradition hearing.
Rolan Sokolovski was arrested last fall along with several other Canadians accused of working with former Olympic snowboarder Ryan Wedding, an alleged drug kingpin listed as one of the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation’s most wanted.
U.S. authorities allege Sokolovski, who is 37, oversaw the organization’s books, obtained luxury goods for Wedding and made a “bejewelled necklace” as payment for a murder.
The court is also expected to hear this week from the people proposing to supervise Sokolovski if he is released on bail.
Ontario Superior Court Justice Peter Bawden ruled this morning to prohibit the publication of any information that could identify the potential sureties, finding it necessary to reduce their risk of physical harm or death.
Last week, Sokolovski’s lawyers asked the court to protect the identity of the sureties, arguing their safety could otherwise be at risk.
Crown prosecutors argued only the sureties’ addresses should be kept from the public.
Several days have been set aside for the bail hearing.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 12, 2026.
Paola Loriggio, The Canadian Press