In a daring heist that shocked authorities, over 6,500 gold bars valued at more than CA$20 million were stolen from Toronto's Pearson International airport in April 2023. This incident is believed to be one of the most significant gold thefts in history.
According to lead investigator Det. Sgt. Mike Mavity, the stolen gold bars have likely been smuggled overseas to markets such as Dubai or India, where the gold can be melted down and sold without scrutiny. Mavity suspects that the stolen gold was quickly melted down by the perpetrators to avoid detection.
The suspects involved in the case include a jewelry store owner, a former Air Canada manager, and a warehouse employee. So far, nine individuals have been arrested in connection with the theft. The suspects allegedly used forged paperwork, disguised as a seafood pick-up bill, to deceive a warehouse attendant.
Authorities have managed to recover only CA$90,000 from the stolen gold, with suspicions that a small amount of the precious metal was melted down in a Mississauga jewelry store immediately after the heist. The investigation has also revealed possible links between the stolen gold and cross-border gun trafficking, with dozens of firearms seized from the suspects. Among the recovered weapons were two fully automatic firearms and several untraceable guns.
Despite the arrests made in connection with the gold heist, authorities are still working to establish concrete evidence linking the stolen gold to illegal gun trade activities. The investigation continues as law enforcement agencies strive to recover the remaining stolen gold bars and bring all those involved in the crime to justice.
