One among 4 co-defendants in a transnational drug-trafficking case allegedly involving a former Canadian Olympian is asking an Ontario courtroom to launch him on bail earlier than he’s probably extradited to the USA, the place he faces expenses that might put him in jail for all times.
Hardeep Ratte was charged with drug trafficking in reference to two cocaine shipments from Los Angeles to Canada in March and April 2024, as a part of a drug ring allegedly led by former Olympic snowboarder Ryan Marriage ceremony, who stays on the run.
The U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation, which is represented by the Crown within the present case earlier than an Ontario courtroom, says in courtroom paperwork that the shipments contained 293 and 375 kilograms of cocaine.
The FBI claims that Ratte agreed to move cocaine for Marriage ceremony at a flat price of $220,000 Cdn per cargo, courtroom paperwork present.
Ratte is the primary co-defendant within the case to seem in courtroom. The opposite three co-accused, together with his nephew Gurpreet Singh, are additionally awaiting their respective bail hearings in custody.
The FBI claims Ratte was the principal chief of a drug transportation community in Canada, together with Singh. He faces drug trafficking expenses within the U.S., the place authorities are searching for his extradition.
U.S. authorities estimate the road worth of the entire quantity of cocaine transported by Ratte and his couriers to be about $8.45 million to $9.1 million, based on an agreed assertion of info. Based mostly on that, Ratte would face the obligatory minimal of life in jail within the U.S, based on courtroom paperwork.
Courtroom hears from Ratte’s spouse, relations
On Thursday, Ratte’s spouse, sister-in-law and sister had been examined by the courtroom at Ratte’s bail listening to in Toronto, all providing to pledge $200,000 as sureties for his launch.
Ratte’s spouse instructed the courtroom she has a launch plan to observe him always of their Brampton house, and could be blissful if the courtroom made her husband put on an ankle bracelet and took his passport. She instructed the courtroom this week that she has 5 properties and is keen to pledge the worth of them as nicely if the courtroom requires extra money for bail.
“I might pledge no matter I can, risking dropping every little thing we have now constructed collectively in our lives,” she mentioned. “I need to present I’m severe about this [release] plan.”
Ratte’s spouse mentioned she was shocked when her husband, with whom she has two youngsters, was arrested.
His bail listening to continues Friday.
Authorities say a former Canadian Olympic snowboarder is needed within the U.S. in reference to an alleged drug trafficking operation that shipped huge quantities of cocaine throughout the Americas. Ryan James Marriage ceremony, accused of main the operation, remains to be on the run. Authorities allege the operation engaged in homicide. CBC’s Dale Manucdoc has the small print.
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