CANADIAN POLICE UNVEIL THE “GOLD TO GUNS” HEIST
TORONTO — A sensational gold heist in Canada has led to arrests that expose a dark underworld where gold transforms into deadly firearms.
Approximately C$20 million worth of gold bars were stolen from Toronto Pearson International Airport a year ago, sparking a chain of events that revealed a nefarious connection between gold and guns.
According to authorities, the stolen gold was sold for cash to purchase guns in the US, with plans to smuggle these firearms into Canada and sell them on the black market.
Chair of the Peel Regional Police, Nando Iannicca, emphasized that this case is not just about gold, but also about the dangerous transformation of valuable assets into deadly weapons.
The illegal gun trade between the US and Canada has long been a concern for law enforcement, as Canada’s strict gun laws contrast sharply with the accessibility of firearms in America.
Police Chief Bill Fordy highlighted the lucrative nature of smuggling guns from the US to Canada, where the same firearm can fetch significantly higher prices, creating a profitable illegal business.
The introduction of stricter gun laws in Canada in response to previous mass shootings has not deterred criminals, as illegal firearms continue to flow across the border and fuel violent crimes across the country.
Last year’s gold heist, described as “sensational” by Chief Nishan Duraiappah, involved a sophisticated operation that culminated in the theft of 400kg of gold and cash from an airport cargo facility.
The scheme unraveled further with the arrest of Durante King-Mclean, who was found in possession of dozens of guns from the US, shedding light on the complex web of organized crime behind gun smuggling operations.
As the number of guns traced back to the US in Canadian crimes rises, law enforcement agencies in both countries are intensifying efforts to combat these illegal activities and prevent further harm.
King-Mclean now faces charges in both the US and Canada, underscoring the transnational nature of these criminal enterprises. — BBC
