A shocking heist at Toronto’s Pearson International airport last year has left authorities in Canada scrambling to recover more than 6,500 gold bars worth over CA$20 million. The incident, which occurred in April 2023, is believed to be one of the most valuable 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 precious metal can be melted down and sold without scrutiny. Mavity suspects that the gold was quickly melted down by accomplices shortly after the theft took place.
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 heist. Authorities have uncovered evidence suggesting that a portion of the stolen gold was melted down in the basement of a jewelry store in Mississauga.
Despite the arrests made, only a small fraction of the stolen gold, amounting to CA$90,000, has been recovered. Police are working tirelessly to track down the remaining missing gold bars and bring the perpetrators to justice.
In a surprising turn of events, authorities have also linked the stolen gold to cross-border gun trafficking. During the investigation, law enforcement officials seized dozens of firearms from the suspects, including two fully automatic weapons and several untraceable firearms. While the exact connection between the stolen gold and illegal gun trade remains unclear, investigators are diligently pursuing leads to uncover the full extent of criminal activities related to the heist.
