At least six people, including two Indian-origin people, were arrested in connection with a multimillion-dollar gold heist at Toronto’s main airport last year, marking one of the biggest gold thefts in the history of the country.
Peel Regional Police (PRP) said authorities have issued arrest warrants for three individuals.
Giving details about the incident, Peel Police said in a statement: “On April 17, 2023, at 3:56 p.m. a flight landed at Pearson International Airport from Zurich, Switzerland, with a cargo containing 6600 bars of .9999% pure gold, weighing 400 kilograms, valued at over 20 million dollars and CAD 2.5 million worth in foreign currency. Shortly after landing, it was offloaded and transported to a separate location on Airport property.”
Peel Regional Police said it immediately started the investigation, which has crossed borders, and worked collaboratively with the Philadelphia Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF).
“ATF has arrested one individual in the United States who had 65 illegal firearms in his possession, two of which had been modified to have fully automatic capabilities. Five of the 65 handguns are known as ‘ghost guns,’ meaning that they were not serialized and, therefore, are untraceable,” the police said in the statement.
Peel Regional Police investigators seized one kilogram of gold worth approximately USD 89,000, believed to be from the theft, smelting equipment, and approximately USD 434,000 in Canadian currency.
The arrested individuals included Parmpal Sidhu, a 54-year-old man from Brampton, who was also an employee of Air Canada.
The other Indian-origin person was identified as 40-year-old Amit Jalota.
The other people were identified as Ammad Chaudhary, 43, Ali Raza, 37, and Prasath Paramalingam, 35.
Peel Regional Police Chief, Nishan Duraiappah, said, “Our investigators and entire service recognized the heightened interest and impact this incident had in our community. We immediately deployed the necessary resources to address and ensure arrests are made in this complex and multi-faceted investigation that crossed international borders. I commend the incredible work done by our investigators, the ATF, other law enforcement partners, and our community for working together to identify and arrest those responsible for this brazen crime.”