In a significant development, Canadian authorities have apprehended several individuals linked to the grand theft of over 6,600 gold bars, valued at more than 20 million Canadian dollars ($14 million), marking it as the most substantial gold heist ever recorded in Canada.
Peel Regional Police Chief Nishan Duraiappah addressed the media on Wednesday, revealing that last year’s audacious robbery at a Toronto Pearson International Airport facility involved a meticulously planned operation executed by a well-coordinated syndicate of criminals.
“The scale of this particular theft surpasses any previous incident involving gold in Canadian history and ranks among the largest in North America,” stated Chief Duraiappah.
The stolen cache, weighing a staggering 400 kilograms (882 pounds) and originating from a Swiss refinery, was intercepted on April 17, 2023, at an Air Canada facility alongside 2.5 million Canadian dollars ($1.8 million) in foreign bank notes.
Law enforcement officials have disclosed that nine individuals have been implicated in connection with the heist, with five suspects already detained in Canada and subsequently released on bail, pending legal proceedings.
In a notable development, one additional suspect, hailing from Brampton, Ontario, was apprehended in Pennsylvania, United States, where they were found in possession of numerous illegal firearms and remain in custody.
Nationwide warrants have been issued for the remaining three suspects, who are believed to have played various roles in the orchestrated theft, including two Air Canada employees and a proprietor of a jewelry store, along with an alleged accomplice serving as the getaway driver.
The stolen gold, initially secured within a cargo holding facility following its arrival, was unlawfully accessed approximately two and a half hours later by an individual arriving with falsified documentation, purportedly obtained from the Air Canada cargo facility.
In response to the latest revelations, Air Canada confirmed the suspension of one of its cargo division employees implicated in the crime, while another individual, who was employed in the same department at the time of the incident, had already parted ways with the airline before charges were filed.
“With legal proceedings underway, our capacity to provide further commentary is restricted,” Air Canada remarked in an official statement.
Authorities have indicated suspicions that certain suspects may have been involved in illicit firearms trafficking, further complicating the investigation. Notably, law enforcement officials seized approximately 430,000 Canadian dollars ($312,000), believed to be proceeds from the gold’s illicit sale, along with six rudimentary gold bracelets estimated at 89,000 Canadian dollars ($65,000).
Efforts to recover the remainder of the stolen gold are ongoing as the investigation into this unprecedented heist continues to unfold.