Arsalan Chaudhary, 43, was arrested and charged Monday in connection with a 2023 gold heist at Pearson airport, Peel Regional Police say. (Photo: X/@nationalpost/File)
Canadian police have arrested a 43-year-old man in connection with the 2023 gold heist at Toronto Pearson International Airport, described by investigators as the largest such theft in the country’s history.
Arsalan Chaudhary was taken into custody on Monday after arriving in Toronto on a flight from Dubai, the Peel Regional Police said. Officers said Chaudhary had arranged through his lawyers to surrender upon arrival.
He has been charged with theft over C$5,000, two counts of possession of property obtained by crime, and conspiracy to commit an indictable offence. He remains in custody ahead of a bail hearing.
Police cite international cooperation
Peel Regional Police Chief Nishan Duraiappah said the arrest showed the impact of working with international law enforcement partners. “No matter where you try to run or hide, we will find you,” Duraiappah said, according to ABC News.
How the gold went missing
The theft took place on April 17, 2023, after a flight from Zurich, Switzerland, landed in Toronto carrying a cargo shipment of about 400 kilograms of gold, valued at more than $20 million (around ₹1,660 crore) at the time, along with about $2.5 million in foreign currency (around ₹207 crore). The shipment was moved to a holding area at the airport and reported missing the following day.
#Canada cops nab #ArsalanChaudhary, one of the accused in the country’s largest-ever gold theft (2023), gold worth over $20 million.
Investigators said the case involved two groups: airport insiders and external suspects. Police allege some Air Canada employees helped facilitate the theft by diverting the shipment.
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Role of the accused
According to police, Chaudhary belonged to the group outside the airport and is accused of helping arrange the sale of the gold and moving it out of Canada after it was stolen. Court documents cited by ABC News allege he played a central role in planning the theft and coordinating activity after the crime. These allegations have not yet been tested in court.
Police said another key suspect, former Air Canada employee Simran Preet Panesar, is believed to be in India. A Canada-wide warrant has been issued for his arrest. Two additional suspects from Brampton, Ontario, also remain at large.
Authorities said the investigation, known as Project 24K, is ongoing and could lead to further arrests, ABC News reported.
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Arsalan Chaudhary, 43, was arrested and charged Monday in connection with a 2023 gold heist at Pearson airport, Peel Regional Police say. (Photo: X/@nationalpost/File) 
