2 Indian-origin men among 6 arrested in Canada for theft of $22.5 million

At least two persons of Indian origin are among six people arrested in connection with the multimillion-dollar gold heist at Toronto’s main airport last year, news agency PTI reported. According to Peel Regional Police (PRP), Canadian authorities also issued warrants for three more people in the case. It is noteworthy that this was the biggest gold theft in the history of Canada.

An air cargo container carrying gold bars and foreign currency worth more than 22 million Canadian dollars was stolen from a secure storage facility with the help of fake paperwork on April 17, 2023, police said. The gold and currency recently arrived on an Air Canada flight from Zurich, Switzerland. Police further said that at least two former Air Canada employees allegedly helped carry out the audacious theft.

According to PTI, one is now in custody and an arrest warrant has been issued for the other. Two Indian-origin men from Ontario – Parampal Sidhu, 54, and Amit Jalota, 40 – were arrested on Wednesday along with Ammad Chaudhary, 43, Ali Raza, 37, and Prasad Paramalingam, 35.

Durante King-McLean, a 25-year-old man from Brampton, is currently in custody in the United States in a case related to firearms trafficking, and investigators are in contact with him and his legal counsel. The arrests came after a lengthy investigation into the crime registered last year. At the time of the crime, Sidhu was working with Air Canada, as per PTI report.

Additionally, police have issued a Canada-wide warrant for Simran Preet Panesar, 31, of Brampton, who was also an Air Canada employee at the time of the theft; Archit Grover, 36, of Brampton; and Arsalan Chaudhary, a 42-year-old man from Mississauga, as quoted by PTI, the report said. Air Canada spokesperson Peter Fitzpatrick confirmed Sidhu and Panesar’s employment with the national flag carrier.

“One left the company before the arrest was announced today, and the other has been suspended,” he was quoted as saying by PTI. “As this is now before the courts, we are limited in our ability to comment further.”

Lead investigator Det.-Sgt. Mike Mavity called this daring theft from an Air Canada cargo facility the largest gold heist in Canadian history. He said two people working for the airline had played a key role in carrying it out, CBC News reported. “They needed people inside Air Canada to carry out this theft,” Maviti said.

“On April 17, 2023 at 3:56 pm a flight from Zurich, Switzerland landed at Pearson International Airport carrying 6,600 bars of .9999% pure gold, weighing 400 kg, valued at $20 million and CAD 2.5 “Millions of dollars worth of foreign currency was unloaded and taken to a different location on airport property,” Peel police said in a statement on April 18. , Peel Regional Police were reported missing.

“Peel Regional Police immediately began an investigation that crossed borders and we are working closely with the Philadelphia Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF),” the statement quoted PTI as saying. Are.” , Significant progress has been made in the investigation by Peel Regional Police and ATF.

A man has been arrested by the ATF in the United States for possessing 65 illegal firearms. Two firearms were modified to have fully automatic capabilities. Five of the 65 handguns are known as ‘ghost guns’, meaning they were not serialized and, therefore, are inaccessible.

“Peel Regional Police (PRP) investigators also seized one kilogram of gold, valued at approximately $89,000.00, believed to be stolen, smelting equipment and approximately $434,000 in Canadian currency,” the statement quoted PTI as saying. The PRP has identified and charged or issued warrants against nine individuals facing more than 19 allegations.

“Our investigators and the entire service recognize the increased interest and impact this incident has had on our community. We immediately deployed the necessary resources to address and ensure arrests in this complex and multifaceted investigation that crossed international borders. I commend the incredible work done by our investigators, ATF, other law enforcement partners, and our community for working together to identify and arrest those responsible for this brutal crime. Nishan Duraiappa, Peel regional police chief, quoted by PTI.

Duraiappa said, “This investigation remains a priority for Peel Regional Police. Area-area limitations will not hinder our ability to charge and arrest those responsible. We are committed to arresting those responsible and holding them accountable.” “We are working closely with national and international law enforcement partners.” , where did it go.