Canadian and U.S. authorities announced the arrest of six individuals and the search for three more suspects in connection with what they described as the largest gold heist in Canadian history—a theft amounting to over C$22 million ($16 million) in gold and currency.
The suspects, including two Air Canada employees, allegedly forged an airway bill to pilfer a cargo of 6,600 gold bars weighing 400 kg (882 pounds) and C$2.5 million in foreign currency, authorities revealed.
The heist occurred exactly one year ago at an Air Canada cargo facility at the Toronto Pearson International Airport, as disclosed by Peel regional police during a press briefing. The nine suspects were named, and the 19 charges they face were detailed.
While five suspects were apprehended in Canada and released on bail pending trial, one individual, originally from Brampton, Ontario, was arrested in Pennsylvania along with firearms and remains in custody in the United States. Canada-wide warrants have been issued for the remaining three suspects, authorities confirmed.
Air Canada stated that it had suspended one cargo division employee charged in the theft, while the other had departed the airline’s employment prior to the charges being announced.
“As this is now before the courts, we are limited in our ability to comment further,” Air Canada mentioned in a statement.
During the investigation, Peel regional police, in collaboration with the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, managed to recover one kg of gold (2.2 pounds) and approximately C$434,000 in Canadian currency.
“We believe that they’ve melted down the gold and then the profits they got from the gold, they used to help finance the firearms,” Detective Sergeant Mike Mavity stated.
Additionally, authorities retrieved approximately 65 firearms that investigators allege were purchased with the proceeds from the theft.
In the aftermath of the heist, Miami-based transport and security services provider Brinks filed a lawsuit against Air Canada in October, citing “negligence and carelessness” by the airline. Brinks had been contracted by Swiss bank Raiffeisen Schweiz and precious metals refining company Valcambi to transport the valuables from Zurich to Toronto.
