6 men arrested in 'Netflix-worthy' Toronto gold heist
Six people have been arrested in connection with what investigators describe as the "largest" ever gold heist in the history of Canada. The police have also issued arrest warrants for three people. All nine individuals have been charged with more than 19 offenses. The Peel Regional Police made the arrests following a year-long investigation that spanned Canada and the United States.
How the crime unfolded
On April 17, 2023, an air cargo container containing over 22 million Canadian dollars' worth of gold bars and foreign currencies was stolen from a secure storage facility using fraudulent documents. The gold and money were flown in on an Air Canada flight from Zurich, Switzerland. Police say at least two former Air Canada workers helped with the theft. One is now in custody, while an arrest warrant has been issued for the other.
Thieves fled after presenting genuine airline waybill
The thieves were able to flee with the gold after presenting a genuine airline waybill. The waybill had been reprinted on an Air Canada printer and stated that one of the accused would be picking up a consignment of seafood that had already been picked up the day before, according to The New York Times. The accused then allegedly placed the shipment of 6,600 gold bars and currencies into the vehicle two hours after it arrived at the airport.
Details of the heist emerge, likened to Netflix plot
"This story is a sensational one, and one which probably, we jokingly say, belongs in a Netflix series," commented Peel Regional Police Chief Nishan Duraiappah after the truck used in the heist was seized. The stolen gold was subsequently melted down, and the proceeds were used to buy firearms for sale in Canada as part of a trafficking operation.
Only a fraction of theft has been recovered
According to Canadian and US officials, the investigation remains ongoing, with only a portion of the stolen gold bars and cash recovered. Police in Ontario discovered five crudely melted gold bangles worth around $90,000 during a search. "This was the largest gold heist in Canadian history, reportedly, it's the sixth largest in world crime history," said Deputy Police Chief Nick Milinovich.
Arrested suspects include Air Canada employee
Among those arrested are Parmpal Sidhu, an Air Canada employee, and Durante King-Mclean, believed to be the truck driver who is currently detained in the US. A nationwide search is underway for another Air Canada employee named Simran Preet Panesar. Meanwhile, Air Canada and Brink's, an armored car company, are presently entangled in a legal dispute over the responsibility for the theft.
