NEW DELHI: In a significant development in Canada‘s largest gold heist case, at least two Indian-origin men are among the six individuals arrested in connection with the audacious theft at Toronto‘s main airport last year. The Peel Regional Police (PRP) also announced warrants for three more persons linked to the crime.
The heist, which took place on April 17, 2023, involved the theft of a cargo container carrying over 22 million Canadian dollars’ worth of gold bars and foreign currency from a secure storage facility at Pearson International Airport.The stolen cargo had just arrived on an Air Canada flight from Zurich, Switzerland, and was taken using fraudulent paperwork.
According to police reports, two former Air Canada employees allegedly aided in the heist, with one already in custody and another subject to an arrest warrant. Among those arrested on Wednesday were Parmpal Sidhu, 54, and Amit Jalota, 40, both of Indian origin and residents of Ontario, along with Ammad Chaudhary, 43, Ali Raza, 37, and Prasath Paramalingam, 35.
The investigation into the crime, which involved collaboration with law enforcement agencies across borders, led to the identification of additional suspects. Peel police have issued Canada-wide warrants for Simran Preet Panesar, 31, Archit Grover, 36, and Arsalan Chaudhary, 42, all allegedly involved in the heist.
Air Canada confirmed the employment of Sidhu and Panesar at the time of the theft, with one having left the company before the arrests and the other suspended pending further investigation.
Lead investigator Det.-Sgt. Mike Mavity described the heist as the largest in Canadian history and emphasized the involvement of individuals within Air Canada in executing the crime.
The investigation, spanning international borders, saw significant progress with the assistance of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) in the United States. ATF’s involvement led to the arrest of an individual in the U.S. with a cache of illegal firearms, some of which were modified for fully automatic capabilities.
In addition to the arrests, PRP seized a significant amount of gold believed to be linked to the theft, along with smelting equipment and a substantial sum of Canadian currency.
Peel Regional Police Chief Nishan Duraiappah commended the collaborative efforts of law enforcement agencies and the community in bringing those responsible for the brazen crime to justice. He reiterated PRP’s commitment to pursuing the investigation and holding all involved parties accountable, regardless of jurisdictional boundaries.
(With inputs from agencies)
The heist, which took place on April 17, 2023, involved the theft of a cargo container carrying over 22 million Canadian dollars’ worth of gold bars and foreign currency from a secure storage facility at Pearson International Airport.The stolen cargo had just arrived on an Air Canada flight from Zurich, Switzerland, and was taken using fraudulent paperwork.
According to police reports, two former Air Canada employees allegedly aided in the heist, with one already in custody and another subject to an arrest warrant. Among those arrested on Wednesday were Parmpal Sidhu, 54, and Amit Jalota, 40, both of Indian origin and residents of Ontario, along with Ammad Chaudhary, 43, Ali Raza, 37, and Prasath Paramalingam, 35.
The investigation into the crime, which involved collaboration with law enforcement agencies across borders, led to the identification of additional suspects. Peel police have issued Canada-wide warrants for Simran Preet Panesar, 31, Archit Grover, 36, and Arsalan Chaudhary, 42, all allegedly involved in the heist.
Air Canada confirmed the employment of Sidhu and Panesar at the time of the theft, with one having left the company before the arrests and the other suspended pending further investigation.
Lead investigator Det.-Sgt. Mike Mavity described the heist as the largest in Canadian history and emphasized the involvement of individuals within Air Canada in executing the crime.
The investigation, spanning international borders, saw significant progress with the assistance of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) in the United States. ATF’s involvement led to the arrest of an individual in the U.S. with a cache of illegal firearms, some of which were modified for fully automatic capabilities.
In addition to the arrests, PRP seized a significant amount of gold believed to be linked to the theft, along with smelting equipment and a substantial sum of Canadian currency.
Peel Regional Police Chief Nishan Duraiappah commended the collaborative efforts of law enforcement agencies and the community in bringing those responsible for the brazen crime to justice. He reiterated PRP’s commitment to pursuing the investigation and holding all involved parties accountable, regardless of jurisdictional boundaries.
(With inputs from agencies)