Toronto Man Accused of Laundering for Alleged Drug Empire Fights Extradition in Bail Hearing
The Toronto man accused of serving as the financial backbone for an alleged billion-dollar international drug operation appeared in court this week, with his lawyer arguing he should be released on bail while facing extradition to the United States.
Defense Argues Against Flight Risk Designation
Rolan Sokolovski, the 37-year-old owner of Diamond Tsar and former professional poker player, is wanted by U.S. authorities on multiple charges including conspiracy to traffic cocaine and laundering hundreds of millions of dollars for what prosecutors describe as a sophisticated drug enterprise. During Wednesday's hearing, his lawyer Scott Fenton presented a compelling case against designating his client as a flight risk.
"Someone who is intent on fleeing and not facing justice might well at that point say, 'Things are closing in on me, I'm going to head for the hills,'" Fenton argued before Superior Court Justice Peter Bawden.
Previous Border Encounters Cited as Evidence
The defense highlighted two significant incidents that occurred before Sokolovski's arrest in November 2025. In April 2025, FBI agents detained and questioned him at Chicago's airport. Just weeks before charges were filed, Bahamian authorities denied him entry despite having booked a one-week vacation with his fiancée.
"Rolan Sokolovski had two clear chances to flee and he didn't," Fenton emphasized. "And now he's got sureties pledging everything they own. In my submission, it makes no sense that he would destroy all his relationships and try to run for the hills, which it's virtually impossible to do anyway."
Substantial Bail Proposal Presented
Four proposed bail sureties, whose identities remain protected by a publication ban for safety reasons, have collectively pledged $1.2 million toward Sokolovski's release. The accused himself has proposed an additional $2 million. Fenton requested that Justice Bawden release his client under strict conditions including GPS monitoring and supervision at a residence with three sureties.
Prosecution's Concerns About Financial Transactions
The Crown prosecution, which opposes bail, presented evidence suggesting Sokolovski functioned as the "de facto bank" for Ryan Wedding, the former Canadian Olympian snowboarder now on the FBI's most wanted list. Wedding stands accused of heading an organization that allegedly funnels hundreds of kilograms of cocaine from Colombia to Canada through the United States.
U.S. authorities seized financial records indicating Sokolovski's cryptocurrency account received approximately $110 million US and made withdrawals totaling $113 million US. Justice Bawden expressed concern that the proposed sureties appeared unaware of the vast sums flowing through these accounts, allegedly at Wedding's direction.
Connection to Larger Criminal Investigation
This case connects to a broader investigation into Wedding's alleged criminal network, which prosecutors claim includes ordering hits on enemies of the operation. In December, Justice Bawden granted bail to Brampton lawyer Deepak Paradkar, 62, who faces $5.25-million bail conditions. Paradkar stands accused of playing a role in Wedding's operation, including allegedly counseling him to kill a witness—allegations he has denied.
The hearing continues as the court weighs the substantial bail proposal against the serious nature of the charges and the prosecution's concerns about potential flight risk.
