The Canadian police have arrested a man in connection with an investigation into the theft of gold bars worth more than $20 million, the largest gold heist in the country’s history.
According to an official release on the Peel Regional Police website, 43-year-old Arsalan Chaudhary of Mississauga was arrested on Monday at the Toronto Pearson International Airport after he arrived on a flight from Dubai.
The case dates back to April 17, 2023 when a flight from Zurich, Switzerland landed at the Toronto Pearson International Airport carrying a cargo shipment of about 400 kg of .9999-pure gold, equivalent to about 6,600 bars, along with $2.5 million in foreign currency.
The shipment was offloaded and moved to a separate location on the airport property, but was reported missing after a few hours. Following the theft, the police launched a cross-border investigation and charged 10 people in connection with the crime.
Two of them are at large, including key suspect 33-year-old Simran Preet Panesar of Brampton, a former Air Canada employee who is believed to be in India. Accused of helping in identifying and diverting the cargo shipment by manipulating airline systems, Panesar was traced to a rented flat on the outskirts of Chandigarh last year.
Those arrested in the case include Archit Grover, who was apprehended after flying in from India, Parmpal Sidhu (54) and Amit Jalota (40) of Ontario and Prasath Paramalingam.
In addition, a warrant has been issued for Durante King-Mclean, a 27-year-old man from Brampton, on charges of theft over $5,000 and possession of property obtained by crime. He has recently pleaded guilty to firearms trafficking-related charges in the United States and is expected to be sentenced later this year, the police added.
Also read: Simran Preet Panesar, Canada gold heist suspect, found in India
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