Nine suspects wanted in connection with the largest gold heist in Canadian history have been identified by Peel Regional Police.
During a news conference on Wednesday, which marks one year since the incident at Pearson International Airport, police revealed the identities of five suspects in custody, two of which were former Air Canada employees.
Police said 19 charges had been laid in total and three suspects are wanted on Canada-wide warrants.The charges include Conspiracy to Commit an indictable offence, Theft Over $5000 and Possession of Property Obtained by Crime, among others.
“This particular theft has become the largest gold theft in Canadian history and its one of the largest, for that matter in North America,” Peel police Chief Nishan Duraiappah told reporters during the press conference.
“We here in Peel see a variety of crimes that plague our community, some are very rudimentary and crude, but this one is a carefully planned and well organized [by a] group of criminals from both inside and outside of airport facilities,” Duraiappah continued.
The alleged driver of a five tonne truck used to transport the stolen gold has also been identified. Police say 25-year-old Durante King-Mclean of Brampton is currently in custody in the United States on firearms trafficking charges.
In a press release, police said the suspects stole 6,600 bars of pure gold, weighing 400 kilograms and valued at over $20 million; $2.5 million in foreign currency was also taken.
Investigators have seized one kilogram of gold worth approximately $89,000, smelting equipment, and approximately $434,000 in alleged profits from the sale of the gold.
The stolen cargo was ordered from a refinery in Switzerland, and transported as approved cargo on an Air Canada Flight that landed shortly before 4:00 p.m on April 17 2023, at Pearson airport, police say.
After landing, the gold was offloaded and transported to a holding location on airport property.
Shortly after, a suspect, alleged to be King-Mclean, arrived in a five tonne truck, the gold was then loaded into his vehicle.
King-Mclean allegedly obtained the gold by providing a fraudulent airway bill printed in the Air Canada cargo vicinity, police say.
“The airway bill was for a legitimate shipment of seafood that was picked up the day before,” Det.-Sgt. Mike Mavity, lead case manager for the investigation, told reporters on Wednesday.
Brinks was hired to facilitate the transportation of gold, but arrived hours after the theft to pick-up the shipment, according to police.
READ MORE: Brink’s suing Air Canada over Pearson gold heist
Police say Air Canada employees attempted to locate the cargo, suspected it was missing and notified investigators minutes before 3:00 a.m on April 18.
The following individuals were arrested and charged:
- Parmpal Sidhu, 54, from Brampton
- Amit Jalota, 40, from Oakville
- Ammad Chaudhary, 43, from Georgetown
- Ali Raza, 37, from Toronto
- Prasath Paramalingham, 35, from Brampton
Canada-wide warrants have been issued for the following individuals:
- Simran Preet Panesar, 31, from Brampton
- Archit Grover, 36, from Brampton
- Arsalan Chaudhary, 42, from Mississauga
Investigators are urging anyone with information about this incident to call Peel Regional Police.
Information may also be left anonymously by calling Peel Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or visiting www.peelcrimestoppers.ca.
