News Mania Desk / Agnibeena Ghosh/19th April 2024
In what has been described as the largest gold theft in Canadian history, authorities have made significant progress in apprehending suspects and issuing warrants related to the audacious heist that took place at Toronto Pearson Airport in April 2023. The Peel Regional Police in Canada, in conjunction with the US Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms Bureau, announced arrests and warrants one year after the sensational theft, which saw over 6,500 gold bars, valued at C$20 million, vanish along with millions in cash.
The meticulously executed heist, characterized by authorities as reminiscent of a plot from a Netflix series, was orchestrated by a highly organized group of criminals, according to police reports. The operation involved sophisticated planning and execution, leaving investigators grappling with a complex web of clues and suspects.
Dubbed Project 24K, the year-long joint investigation has seen extensive efforts from law enforcement agencies on both sides of the border. Dozens of search warrants have been executed, accompanied by numerous interviews aimed at unraveling the intricate details of the crime. The operation has yielded significant results, including the recovery of C$90,000 worth of pure gold, fashioned into six bracelets, and the seizure of smelting equipment, casting molds, and C$430,000 in cash believed to be proceeds from the illicit gold sales.
One key breakthrough in the investigation occurred in September, when Pennsylvania police apprehended Durante King-McClean, a 25-year-old Ontario resident, allegedly serving as the driver for the criminal gang. King-McClean was stopped for a routine traffic violation in Philadelphia, where authorities discovered a cache of firearms concealed in his vehicle. Of particular concern was the discovery of firearms with obliterated serial numbers, along with others reported stolen and some converted into fully automatic weapons. According to Eric Degree, a special agent of the ATF in Philadelphia, these firearms were intended for import into Canada, shedding light on the illicit trade network fueling the crime.
Nando Iannicca, chair of the Peel Police Services Board, emphasized the broader implications of the firearms seized, linking them to potential threats to public safety in Canada. While the primary focus remains on unraveling the complexities of the gold heist, authorities are keenly aware of the interconnected nature of criminal activities and their far-reaching consequences.
Despite significant progress in the investigation, several suspects remain at large, including Simran Preet Panesar, Archit Grover, and Arsalan Chaudhary, for whom Canada-wide arrest warrants have been issued. The involvement of airline employees among the arrested suspects underscores the intricate nature of the operation, raising questions about internal security protocols and vulnerabilities within the aviation industry.
The heist itself, which unfolded inside a cargo facility shortly after the arrival of an Air Canada flight from Zurich, Switzerland, involved a combination of subterfuge and meticulous planning. Allegations suggest that the perpetrators gained access to the cargo using a fake airway bill, allowing them to seize the gold and transport it using a five-tonne truck.
In the aftermath of the theft, Brink’s International, a prominent security company tasked with coordinating the shipment, initiated legal action against Air Canada, alleging negligence and failure to implement adequate security measures. According to Brink’s, the theft occurred just 42 minutes after the cargo was unloaded, highlighting lapses in security protocols and oversight.
Air Canada, however, has vehemently denied the allegations, asserting that the theft occurred outside its primary security perimeter. The airline has refuted claims of negligence, maintaining that it followed standard procedures and contractual obligations in handling the shipment.
