Canadian Police Crack Largest Gold Heist in History
TORONTO — In a dramatic turn of events, Canadian police have made multiple arrests and issued nine warrants in connection with the largest gold theft in the country’s history.
More than 6,500 gold bars worth C$20m (£11.6m) were brazenly stolen from Toronto Pearson Airport in April 2023, along with millions in cash, leaving authorities stunned.
The alleged driver was apprehended in the US, caught red-handed with a cache of dozens of guns destined for criminal activities in Canada, painting a picture of a nefarious plot straight out of a Netflix series.
Described as a “well-organized group of criminals”, the masterminds behind the audacious heist have kept law enforcement agencies on their toes as the investigation continues to unfold.
The joint efforts of the Canadian Peel Regional Police and the US Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms Bureau culminated in the announcement of arrests and warrants exactly one year after the massive gold heist, marking it as the sixth largest in the world.
Code-named Project 24K, the year-long investigation has involved numerous search warrants and interviews, shedding light on the intricate web of criminal activities surrounding the gold theft.
Recovering C$90,000 worth of “pure gold” fashioned into crude bracelets, along with seized smelting equipment and cash proceeds from gold sales, police have made significant strides in dismantling the criminal network.
With the arrest of the alleged driver, Durante King-McClean, in Pennsylvania, law enforcement agencies have thwarted further illegal activities, including firearms trafficking intended to fuel violence in Canada.
As the man remains in custody in the US on serious charges, the ripple effects of the gold heist serve as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by organized crime groups operating on a global scale.
Five suspects, including airline employees implicated in the theft, have been arrested and released pending court appearances, while arrest warrants loom over others connected to the crime.
The daring heist inside a cargo facility at Toronto Pearson Airport on April 17, 2023, unfolded with precision as criminals seized a five-ton lorry to make off with the hefty loot, leaving authorities scrambling to piece together the puzzle.
With Brink’s International filing a lawsuit against Air Canada for alleged negligence in preventing the theft, the legal battle over liability and damages escalates, underscoring the high stakes involved in securing valuable assets.
As the saga of the largest gold heist in Canadian history unfolds, the hunt for remaining suspects continues, underscoring the relentless pursuit of justice in the face of brazen criminal activities. — BBC
