The Law Society of Ontario has suspended the license of Deepak Paradkar, a lawyer known as the "cocaine lawyer," who is facing extradition to the United States on serious criminal charges. The suspension was announced during a virtual tribunal hearing on Friday. Paradkar is accused of involvement with alleged drug kingpin Ryan Wedding, who is wanted in the U.S. on murder and drug trafficking charges.

Paradkar's attorney, Ravin Pillay, stated that his client accepted the suspension but maintains his innocence. "Mr. Paradkar denies the allegations, maintains his innocence and intends to vigorously defend against the criminal charges at the appropriate time," Pillay said after the hour-long hearing.

The 62-year-old Paradkar was arrested at his home in the Greater Toronto Area in mid-November. He is linked to what authorities describe as the "Wedding Criminal Enterprise," a billion-dollar drug trafficking organization that allegedly smuggled cocaine into Canada and orchestrated numerous murders worldwide.

The Law Society's decision to suspend Paradkar's license followed explosive allegations detailed in court records filed by U.S. authorities. These allegations include claims that Paradkar assisted Wedding in plotting the murder of a key FBI informant, Jonathan Acebedo Garcia, who was killed in Colombia earlier this year.

Bernadette Saad, representing the Law Society, emphasized the seriousness of the allegations. She stated that the evidence suggests a significant risk to public safety and the integrity of the justice system if Paradkar's license is not restricted before a full disciplinary hearing.

Paradkar has a history of controversy; he was reprimanded by the regulatory board in 2017 for inappropriate social media posts under the handle "Cocaine_lawyer." In those posts, he made references to organized crime and illegal drugs.

Currently, Paradkar is in a Toronto jail awaiting extradition hearings. He faces multiple charges in the U.S., including conspiracy to commit murder, which could result in a life sentence. His next bail hearing is scheduled for next week, where Canadian authorities are expected to oppose his release.

The case continues to develop as more information emerges regarding the alleged drug trafficking operations and the individuals involved.