Authorities in Canada and the US have announced the arrest of six individuals in connection with a daring gold heist that took place at Toronto's Pearson International Airport last year. The heist, valued at over 22 million Canadian dollars, involved the theft of gold bars and foreign currency from an air cargo container that had just arrived from Zurich, Switzerland.
According to police reports, the theft was orchestrated as an 'inside job,' with at least two former Air Canada employees allegedly playing a role in the crime. Arrest warrants have been issued for three additional suspects, bringing the total number of individuals charged to nine.
The investigation, codenamed 'Project 24Karat,' was a collaborative effort between Canadian and US law enforcement agencies. It was revealed that the stolen gold was melted down by the organized crime ring to finance the trafficking of firearms into Canada.
During a press conference, Detective Sgt. Mike Mavity of Peel Regional Police emphasized the sophistication of the criminal operation, stating that the suspects had attempted to outsmart law enforcement but ultimately failed.
While only a fraction of the stolen gold and cash has been recovered so far, authorities remain committed to pursuing the case and apprehending all individuals involved in the heist. The investigation is ongoing, with efforts being made to track down the remaining suspects and recover the stolen assets.
Deputy Police Chief Nick Milinovich described the incident as the largest gold heist in Canadian history and one of the top six in world crime history. The recovery of five melted gold bangles worth approximately $90,000 in Ontario was cited as a significant development in the case.
Officials have expressed gratitude for the diligent efforts of law enforcement in uncovering the details of the heist and bringing the perpetrators to justice. The collaboration between Canadian and US agencies has been instrumental in shedding light on the complex nature of the crime and preventing further illicit activities.
As the investigation continues, authorities are hopeful that additional leads will lead to the recovery of more stolen assets and the apprehension of all individuals involved in the elaborate scheme.
