A shadow fell over Montreal’s criminal underworld Tuesday morning with the RCMP’s arrest of Atna Onha, a man long suspected of wielding significant power within organized crime. The arrest wasn’t at the behest of Canadian authorities, but a direct request from the United States, signaling a far-reaching investigation.
Onha, 40, now faces the possibility of extradition to the U.S. where he is a suspect in the brutal murder of Jonathan Acebedo-Garcia. Acebedo-Garcia was killed in a Medellín, Colombia restaurant on January 31st, a crime that appears to be linked to a much larger web of illicit activity.
Alongside Onha, Edwin Basora Hernandez, 31, was also arrested under the same extradition request. Both men appeared before Quebec Superior Court Justice François Dadour, their fates hanging in the balance as prosecutors outlined the core of the American case: large-scale cocaine trafficking and a calculated murder.
The details emerging paint a chilling picture. Acebedo-Garcia wasn’t simply a victim of random violence; he was poised to testify in a case involving Ryan Wedding, a Canadian fugitive and former Olympic snowboarder now residing on the FBI’s most wanted list.
Wedding is accused of masterminding a transnational drug operation, funneling hundreds of kilograms of cocaine from Colombia, through Mexico and into Canada and the United States. The FBI alleges he didn’t hesitate to use murder to protect his empire, silencing anyone who threatened his operation.
This isn’t the first time Onha’s name has surfaced in connection with serious crime. During a 2023 murder trial in Montreal, an expert witness identified him as “an important actor in Montreal organized crime,” a testament to his long-held influence.
Evidence presented during that trial included a photograph, captured during a police surveillance operation called Project Abus, showing the victim, Frantz Louis, meeting with Onha and two members of the Hells Angels. The image underscored the dangerous alliances and intricate networks within the city’s criminal landscape.
Onha’s past brushes with the law include a 2019 conviction for uttering threats, resulting in a three-year probation period. While initially charged with extortion in the same case, those charges were ultimately stayed.
Justice Dadour has ordered Onha to remain detained, with a return date set for February. Basora Hernandez’s lawyer requested a further hearing on Friday, citing the need for a Spanish interpreter. A strict communication ban has been issued, preventing both men from contacting each other or four other individuals while the extradition proceedings unfold.
The arrest of Onha and Hernandez represents a significant development, potentially unraveling a complex network of drug trafficking and violence that stretches across continents. The shadow of Ryan Wedding, the fugitive snowboarder, looms large over the case, promising further revelations as the investigation progresses.
