A man from Ontario, accused of being involved in laundering money for an international drug trafficking network, is beginning the process of seeking release before his upcoming extradition hearing.
Rolan Sokolovski, aged 37, was apprehended last autumn along with multiple other Canadians who are alleged to have collaborated with former Olympic snowboarder Ryan Wedding, identified as a key figure in the drug trade and listed as one of the most wanted individuals by the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation.
U.S. authorities claim that Sokolovski managed the financial records of the criminal organization, procured luxury items for Wedding, and even created a valuable necklace as payment for a murder.
Recently, Sokolovski’s legal team requested that the court safeguard the identities of his proposed sureties – individuals willing to supervise him if he is granted bail – citing concerns for their safety.
In response, prosecutors argued that only the sureties’ addresses should be kept confidential, with the judge expected to rule on this matter today.
The bail hearing, scheduled over several days, is currently unfolding at a courthouse in downtown Toronto.
This news article was originally published by The Canadian Press on Jan. 12, 2026.
