A Toronto resident, known as a key figure in money laundering for fugitive Ryan Wedding, attempted to escape to the Bahamas before being apprehended, as per U.S. prosecutors. It is alleged that the sudden departure of Rolan Sokolovski from Canada was triggered by the FBI seizing a rare Mercedes believed to have been bought for Wedding. Sokolovski, 37, is seeking bail in an Ontario court while facing extradition to the U.S. over charges of conspiracy related to money laundering and drug trafficking. The prosecutors claim Sokolovski, who is a jeweler and former professional poker player, poses a flight risk and is a danger to the community as part of Wedding’s criminal network. Wedding, a former Olympic snowboarder for Team Canada, is accused of leading a criminal operation smuggling large quantities of cocaine from Mexico to various cities in the U.S. and Canada. Sokolovski allegedly functioned as the network’s main financial hub, laundering hundreds of millions of dollars in a year, including through cryptocurrency transactions. Following the U.S. authorities seizing a $13 million car procured for Wedding in Florida, Sokolovski reportedly attempted to escape to the Bahamas in October 2025 to evade law enforcement. Sokolovski’s defense lawyer refuted these claims, calling them false. Documents revealed by the Ontario Superior Court of Justice detailed Sokolovski’s failed attempt to fly to the Bahamas in November. The Lithuanian-born Sokolovski was arrested on November 18 as part of a joint FBI and RCMP operation targeting Wedding’s alleged associates globally. Wedding’s wealth, allegedly amassed through drug money, included a complex array of assets such as the rare Mercedes and various high-value items, as described by the U.S. Treasury Department. Sokolovski’s bail hearing is set to resume on January 21, with the defense arguing for his release under strict conditions and substantial financial pledges. U.S. prosecutors warned against granting bail to Sokolovski, citing his access to significant amounts of cryptocurrency and assets. The case is ongoing, with allegations against Sokolovski yet to be proven in court.
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