Ottawa, Canada:

Last year, six people were arrested, including at least two men of Indian origin, in the largest gold theft in Canadian history involving millions of dollars at Toronto’s main airport.

Canadian authorities have also issued arrest warrants for three other people in the case, Peel Regional Police (PRP) said.

On April 17, 2023, an air cargo container containing more than $22 million in gold bars and foreign currency was stolen from a secure storage facility using forged documents, police said. The gold and currency just arrived on an Air Canada flight from Zurich, Switzerland.

Police say at least two former Air Canada employees are allegedly involved in the daring theft. One of them is now in custody and a warrant has been issued for the arrest of the other.

Two people of Indian origin, Parmpal Sidhu, 54, and Amit Jalota, 40, both from Ontario, met Amad, 43, on Wednesday Ammad Chaudhary, Ali Raza, 37, and Prasath Paramalingam, 35, were arrested.

Durant King-McLean, 25, of Brampton, is currently detained in the United States on charges related to gun trafficking, and investigators have contacted him and his legal counsel.

The arrests were announced following a lengthy investigation into crimes reported last year.

Parmpal Sidhu was working with Air Canada at the time of the incident.

In addition, police have issued a Canada-wide arrest warrant for Simran Preet Panesar, 31, from Brampton, who was also an Air Canada employee at the time of the theft; reports said that 36-year-old Archit Grover ( Archit Grover from Brampton and Arsalan Chaudhary, 42, from Mississauga.

Air Canada spokesman Peter Fitzpatrick confirmed that Parmpal Sidhu and Simran Panesar are employed by the Canadian flag carrier.

“One of the individuals left the company prior to today’s announcement of the arrests and the other has been suspended,” he said. “As the matter is now before the courts, our ability to comment further is limited.” Lead investigator Detective Sgt. Mike Mavity called the audacious theft of a Canadian air cargo facility the largest gold theft in Canadian history. He said two men who worked for the airline were instrumental in making that happen, CBC News reported.

“They needed people within Air Canada to assist with this theft,” Mavity said.

“At 3:56 pm on April 17, 2023, a flight landed at Pearson International Airport from Zurich, Switzerland, carrying 6,600 0.9999% pure gold bars, weighing 400 kilograms, worth more than 20 million US dollars, and worth 2.5 Canadian dollars. $1 million worth of foreign currency was unloaded and transported to another location at the airport shortly after landing,” Peel police said in a statement.

On April 18, Peel Regional Police reported the shipment missing.

“Peel Regional Police immediately began a cross-border investigation and we have been working with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Philadelphia Field Unit,” the statement said.

Peel Regional Police and the ATF have made significant progress in their investigation. ATF arrested a man in the United States with 65 illegal firearms, two of which were modified to have fully automatic capabilities. Five of the 65 pistols are known as “ghost guns,” meaning they are not serialized and therefore cannot be traced.

“Peel Regional Police (PRP) investigators also seized one kilogram of gold valued at approximately $89,000, smelting equipment and approximately $434,000 in Canadian currency believed to be the proceeds of theft,” the statement said.

The PRP has identified charges or issued arrest warrants against nine individuals and has laid more than 19 charges.

“Our investigators and the entire service recognize the high level of concern and impact this incident has had on our community. We immediately deployed the necessary resources to resolve this complex and multifaceted investigation that spanned international borders and secure arrests. I commend the incredible work of our investigators, ATF, other law enforcement partners, and our community who worked together to identify and arrest those responsible for this brazen crime.” Nishan Duraiappah, Peel Regional Police Chief.

“This investigation remains a top priority for Peel Regional Police. Cross-jurisdictional boundaries will not impede our ability to prosecute and arrest those responsible. We are working closely with our national and international law enforcement partners to apprehend those responsible and hold them accountable ,” Duraiappa, said.

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