Wikipedia

Toronto Pearson International Airport heist

On April 17, 2023, a major theft occurred at Toronto Pearson International Airport in Canada, with over C$20 million (US$15 million) worth of gold and cash in foreign currency being stolen.[2][3][1] In the evening of Monday, April 17, a container which contained goldbars and foreign currency was offloaded off an inbound aircraft and transferred to an Air Canada holding facility at the airport where Air Canada staff were tricked by a forged shipping document to load it onto a getaway truck. Nine people have been charged in relation to the heist.[4]

Toronto Pearson International Airport heist
Toronto Pearson International Airport flight lines
DateApril 17, 2023 (2023-04-17)
LocationToronto Pearson International Airport, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Coordinates43°40′36″N 079°37′50″W / 43.67667°N 79.63056°W / 43.67667; -79.63056
OutcomeMore than C$20 million of items stolen
MissingForeign currency[1] and gold

According to Peel Regional Police lead investigator Det.-Sgt. Mike Mavity, the theft was the single-largest gold heist in Canadian history.[5]

Background

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In 2023, two Swiss companies wanted to ship valuables from Switzerland to Canada, and each arranged with Brink’s Switzerland Ltd. to handle the logistics and compensate for any transit losses. Valcambi, a Swiss precious metals refinery, wanted to ship 24 gold bars weighing in total 400 kilograms (880 lb) to the Toronto-Dominion Bank; the gold was then worth about C$21.1 million. (Authors of a June 2024 CBC News article point out that oft reported figure is substantially inaccurate based on heist day international gold trading; the amount was "actually worth C$34.365 million in April 2023 and approaching C$41 million today... CBC News reached out to Brinks, TD Bank and Valcambi, the Swiss refiner, as well as Peel Police, to ask about the apparent discrepancy. No one would answer the question [about the discrepancy]."[6]) Raiffeisen Schweiz, a Swiss retail bank wanted to ship currency to the Vancouver Bullion and Currency Exchange, a shipment worth about C$2.7 million and weighing 53 kilograms (117 lb). In mid-April 2023, Brink's arranged with Air Canada to ship the gold and currency in one container from Switzerland to Toronto.[7] The container which was holding the valuables were 0.46 square metres (5.0 sq ft) in size.[8]

Heist

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On April 17, 2023, Air Canada Flight 881, carrying the valuables, departed Zürich, Switzerland at 1:25 PM local time and arrived in Toronto at 3:56 PM local time.[9][1] Flight 881 was operated by an Air Canada Boeing 777-300ER, the largest aircraft in Air Canada's fleet, and was registered as C-FITL.[10][11]

At 5:50 PM, the Brink's container containing the gold and foreign currency was transferred from the airplane to an Air Canada holding facility at the airport. At 6:32 PM, a five-tonne truck pulled to an Air Canada cargo bay. Its driver presented a forged shipping document. Air Canada staff loaded the container of gold and foreign currency onto the truck using a forklift. After being loaded, the truck travelled on Dixon Road, west on Highway 401, and then turned off into a rural area north of Milton.[7][4] A few hours later, a Brinks Canada truck showed up to pick up the shipment. Air Canada staff tried to find the container but an internal investigation concluded it was missing.[12] At 2:43 AM on the next day, the theft was reported to Peel Regional Police.[13]

The forged shipping document was an altered copy of a genuine waybill for a container of seafood that had been picked up from the Air Canada holding facility on the prior day.[4] The forged document was printed on a printer within the Air Canada holding facility.[12]

Investigation

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On April 20, 2023, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police confirmed that Peel Regional Police would be investigating the theft at the airport.[14] Peel Regional Police inspector Stephen Duivesteyn said their team would investigate "all avenues" and described the incident as "isolated" and "very rare".[15][16] Peel Regional Police and the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) would start a joint investigation dubbing it "Project 24K" with 24K meaning 24 gold karats.[17] The ATF was involved as some of those to be charged were also involved in illegal arms trafficking.[5]

On April 17, 2024, Peel Regional Police announced the results of its joint investigation with the ATF. Nineteen charges were laid, six arrests were made and three Canada-wide arrest warrants were issued. Two Air Canada employees were alleged to be part of an organized group of criminals involved in the theft. Police recovered some $430,000 in cash, about $89,000 worth of gold jewelry, and equipment capable of smelting gold to facilitate its sale. Police had also seized the getaway truck.[5][18][12]

Peel police Chief Nishan Duraiappah said that theft was carefully planned by a well-organized group of criminals. The participation of two Air Canada employees was instrumental in carrying out the theft, according to lead investigator Det.-Sgt. Mike Mavity.[5]

According to Mavity, police believe the stolen goldbars have been melted down, and distributed into local and international markets. Police seized two lists showing how the cash proceeds from the disposal of the gold were distributed among the gang members. One list showed $10.23 million distributed and the other $9.94 million.[5]

By July 2024, the investigation had cost Peel Regional Police $5.3 million with an estimated cost to complete of $10 million. Police believe that very little of the gold was melted down in a Mississauga jewelry store, and that the bulk of it may have been sent to Dubai or India where dealers could be found to melt down gold bars with serial numbers.[19]

Suspects

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As of April 2024, the suspects charged in relation to the theft were:[5][12][13]

  • Durante King-Mclean, the alleged driver of the getaway truck, was charged with theft over $5,000 and the possession of proceeds of a crime. Peel police have issued an arrest warrant for him. However, he has been already arrested since September 2023 in Pennsylvania for arms trafficking; in a traffic stop, police found 65 firearms in his rental car.
  • Prasath Paramalingam was charged by Peel police as an accessory after the fact of an indictable offence. He was also wanted by U.S. authorities in Pennsylvania for allegedly providing money to King-Mclean to purchase firearms. A U.S. grand jury has already indicted him on charges of firearms trafficking, aiding and abetting, and conspiracy.
  • Parmpal Sidhu, an Air Canada employee at the time of his arrest, was charged with theft over $5,000 and conspiracy to commit an indictable offence.
  • Amit Jalota was charged with two counts of possession of property obtained by crime, theft over $5,000, and conspiracy to commit an indictable offence.
  • Ammad Chaudhary was charged with accessory after the fact of an indictable offence.
  • Ali Raza, a jewelry store owner, was charged with possession of property obtained by crime.
  • Archit Grover was charged with theft over $5,000 and conspiracy to commit an indictable offence. U.S. authorities also wanted him for firearms trafficking. Peel Police arrested Grover on May 20, 2024 at Pearson Airport after disembarking from a flight from India.[20]
  • Arsalan Chaudhary was charged with theft over $5,000, possession of property obtained by crime, and conspiracy to commit an indictable offence. Peel police have issued a Canada-wide warrant for his arrest.
  • Simran Preet Panesar was a manager for Air Canada who resigned from that position in the summer of 2023. After the theft, he gave Peel police a tour of the Air Canada facility before he became a suspect. Peel police have issued a Canada-wide warrant for his arrest. He was charged with theft over $5000 and conspiracy to commit an indictable offence. In June 2024, Panesar, through his lawyer, announced he would voluntarily return to Canada to surrender to police after spending a couple of weeks arranging his personal affairs. He hoped to demonstrate his innocence.[21]

Archit Grover was the owner of the getaway truck and the employer of Durante King-McLean who allegedy drove that truck. Police described Archit Grover as a "longtime friend" of Parmpal Sidhu who worked at Air Canada Cargo at the time of the heist. Amit Jalota and Arsalan Chaudhary allegedly "looked after the gold". Amit Jalota allegedly arranged with Ali Raza to melt some of the gold at Raza's Mississauga jewlery store. Prasath Paramalingam and Ammad Chaudhary allegedly helped Durante King-McLean cross the border into the United States after the heist.[19]

Lawsuit

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The Greater Toronto Airport Authority said that the GTAA leases the land on which Air Canada facility was located, and that this facility was located outside of the airport's primary security line.[22]

Following the theft, Brink's contacted Air Canada on April 27, 2023, to demand a full reimbursement of the costs it sustained during the heist, but no response was received. The Miami-based company is seeking legal action in Canadian federal court, and in addition to the full reimbursement of the costs it sustained, it is also demanding an unspecified amount in special damages and legal fees.[9][1]

On October 11, 2023, Miami-based Brink's filed a CAD 20 million lawsuit against Air Canada for the negligent handling and care of the items which it was commissioned by Raiffeisenbank and Valcambi to manage. The lawsuit alleges that there were "no security protocols in place" at the Air Canada holding facility at the time of the theft and that on April 17, 2023, at 6:32 PM Eastern Standard Time, an unidentified individual was able to gain access to this Air Canada holding facility by using a fake document and handing it to Air Canada personnel who were working at the facility during the heist. Brink alleges that "without verifying the authenticity of this document in any way, and upon receipt of the fraudulent waybill, AC (referring to Air Canada) personnel released the shipments to the unidentified individual, following which the individual absconded with the cargo." They allege that Air Canada "failed to follow through with appropriate security measures, despite charging higher shipping rates for its 'secure service'. The airline neglected to provide storing facilities equipped with effective vaults and cages, constant CCTV surveillance, and active human surveillance personnel."[9][1]

In November 2023, Air Canada replied that it bore no responsibility for the theft and rejected all of Brink's allegations. Air Canada noted that Brink's failed to state the shipment's value on the waybill and pay a special fee for a "special declaration of interest in delivery"; thus, Air Canada’s liability is capped by the Montreal Convention. Brink's retorted that it paid a premium for the shipment and that the waybill was marked with the words "banknotes", "goldbars" and "Special supervision is requested. Valuable cargo". Brink's was of the opinion that the Montreal Convention imposes no limit as to what it can claim from the carrier.[7]

In April 2024, Peel Regional Police announced that two Air Canada employees were allegedly involved in the heist and that the fake document used in the heist was printed on an Air Canada printer.[12]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d e "Fake document used in April's Toronto-Pearson heist, a new lawsuit against Air Canada alleges". Global News. October 13, 2023. Retrieved October 14, 2023.
  2. ^ "$20M worth of gold and other 'high value' items stolen from Pearson airport, police say". CBC News. April 20, 2023. Retrieved April 21, 2023.
  3. ^ Williams, Nia (April 20, 2023). Reese, Chris (ed.). "Canadian police investigating C$20 million gold heist at Toronto airport". Reuters. Archived from the original on April 28, 2023. Retrieved April 21, 2023.
  4. ^ a b c "Here's how police cracked the case of what they say is the largest gold heist in Canadian history". Toronto Star. April 18, 2024.
  5. ^ a b c d e f Powers, Lucas (April 17, 2024). "Multiple arrests, 19 charges laid in $22.5M Pearson gold heist". CBC News. Retrieved April 17, 2024.
  6. ^ "Bad math and missing millions: Why the Toronto airport gold heist is far from solved". CBC News. June 20, 2024.
  7. ^ a b c "Air Canada rejects blame in $24M gold theft at Toronto Pearson as it faces Brink's lawsuit". Global News. November 20, 2023.
  8. ^ Halpert, Madeline (April 20, 2023). "Toronto airport gold heist: Police says $15m of valuables stolen". BBC News. Retrieved April 21, 2023.
  9. ^ a b c "Air Canada is being sued for $20 million by Miami-based Brink's in relation to April's heist at Canada's largest airport". CBC News. October 13, 2023. Retrieved October 14, 2023.
  10. ^ Atkins, Eric; Norman, Pippa; McGee, Niall (April 21, 2023). "Zurich to zero - How Pearson's $15 million robbery unfolded". The Globe & Mail.
  11. ^ "Former investigator reveals theory on police's radio silence since Toronto Pearson gold heist". CP24. April 21, 2023.
  12. ^ a b c d e "Air Canada employees among suspects identified in gold heist at Pearson airport: police". CablePulse 24. April 17, 2024.
  13. ^ a b "Arrests Made in Over 20 Million Dollar Gold Heist". Peel Regional Police. April 17, 2024. Archived from the original on April 21, 2024.
  14. ^ Jackson, Hannah (April 20, 2023). "Container with $20M in gold, 'high value' items stolen in Pearson airport heist". Global News. Retrieved April 21, 2023.
  15. ^ "Police probe theft of more than $20M of gold, goods at Pearson airport". nationalpost. Retrieved April 21, 2023.
  16. ^ "Massive gold heist at Pearson International Airport investigated by Mounties". National Post. Retrieved April 21, 2023.
  17. ^ "9 charged in $20M gold heist at Pearson airport, some with ties to U.S. gun trafficking: police". CityNews. April 17, 2024.
  18. ^ Takagi, Andy (April 17, 2024). "Arrests made in $24M gold and cash heist at Pearson, Peel police announce". Toronto Star. Retrieved April 17, 2024.
  19. ^ a b "Gold stolen in Toronto airport heist now likely overseas, police admit". Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. July 6, 2024. Archived from the original on July 6, 2024.
  20. ^ "Pearson gold heist suspect also wanted on U.S. gun charges". Toronto Star. May 10, 2024.
  21. ^ Nicholson, Katie (June 14, 2024). "Former Air Canada manager wanted in gold heist to turn himself in, lawyer says". Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. Archived from the original on June 14, 2024.
  22. ^ "$20 million in gold, high-value goods stolen in heist at Toronto Pearson Airport". CP24. April 20, 2023. Retrieved April 21, 2023.
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