A 43-year-old man, identified as Arsalan Chaudhary, has been arrested in connection to the largest gold heist in Canadian history. The alleged theft took place in 2023, when an Air Canada flight from Zurich arrived at Pearson with a cargo shipment consisting of about 400 kg of gold and around $20 million in foreign currency.
Chaudhary was taken into custody at Toronto Pearson International Airport on Monday after arriving on a flight from Dubai.
Peel Region Police Inspector Mike Mavity stated to CBC News that Chaudhary’s surrender was arranged through his lawyers. CTV reported that police said that they were able to prepare for the arrest after being informed in advance about his arrival. Chaudhary has been charged with theft of over $5,000, two counts of possession of property acquired by crime, a conspiracy to commit an indictable offence, The Indian Express stated.
Who is Arsalan Chaudhary, and what is he accused of?
Chaudhary, officials said, does not have a permanent address. He was earlier living in the Greater Toronto Area, according to CBS. The news outlet also cited police as alleging that Chaudhary was part of the “outsider” group related to the case, distinct from the alleged insider network.
CBS News further mentioned that investigators believe Chaudhary helped in facilitating the scale of the stolen gold and its movement out of Canada after it was removed from Air Canada cargo. The report also referenced prosecutors’ allegations about his involvement in planning and post-offence conduct.
What happened in the Pearson gold heist?
Police claimed that a suspect used a forged bill and misrepresented the cargo – consisting consisting of about 400 kg of gold and around $2.5 million in foreign currency – as seafood. This resulted in the shipment being collected and then disappearing. The theft was reported the next day, triggering a wider investigation that later involved US agencies, as per a report by The Indian Express.
With the latest arrest, 10 people have now been charged, as reported by CTV. The report also quotes Mavity as saying that authorities have recovered only a small amount of gold until now, around 1 kilogram, and that a large quantity is still missing.
The Indian Express reported that three suspects remain wanted or under active warrants. It includes Simran Panesar (33), a former Air Canada employee believed to be in India, with the extradition process ongoing; Durante King-Mclean (27), who has pleaded guilty in the US to firearms trafficking related to alleged proceeds; and Prasath Paramlaigam (36) wanted on a bench warrant after failing to appear in court.