Canadian and U.S. authorities said six people have been arrested and three more are being sought in connection with what they called the largest gold heist in Canadian history - a cargo of over $16 million in gold and currency.

Brampton

Six people have been arrested and three others are sought in what is being described by Canadian and U.S. authorities as the largest gold heist in Canadian history. The heist involved over $16 million worth of gold and currency, marking a significant theft from cargo arriving from overseas.

The stolen goods, consisting of a substantial quantity of gold and foreign currency, were ordered from a refinery in Zurich, Switzerland. The valuables were then transported in the hull of an Air Canada flight within an approved airline container destined for Toronto, Canada. The flight arrived at Toronto's Pearson International Airport, where the heist unfolded as the cargo was being offloaded at the Air Canada cargo facility.

Authorities revealed that a suspect approached the Air Canada cargo area driving a five-ton truck, presenting a fraudulent airway bill. The suspect managed to load the gold and currency onto the truck before fleeing the scene. Regional police in Ontario have since named nine suspects involved in the operation, charging them with a total of 19 offenses. Notably, at least two of the individuals charged were Air Canada employees.

Following the arrests, five of the suspects were released on bail within Canada, while one individual was apprehended in Pennsylvania, found in possession of firearms and thus remains in U.S. custody. Canada-wide warrants have been issued for the three suspects who are still at large. In response to the charges, Air Canada has taken action by suspending one of the implicated employees, with another having already departed from the airline prior to the theft being announced.

In the aftermath of the theft, authorities have recovered more than two pounds of gold and approximately $315,000 in Canadian currency. They also seized more than 60 firearms, believed to have been purchased with the proceeds of the stolen goods. Furthermore, Brinks, a Miami-based transport and security services provider, has filed a lawsuit against Air Canada. The lawsuit alleges negligence and carelessness on the part of the airline. Brinks was contracted by Reifweiss & Schweiss, a Swiss bank, and Valcambi, a precious metals refining company, to transport the valuables from Zurich to Toronto.



Six arrested in Canada's 'largest gold heist'

It's being called the biggest gold heist in Canadian history. Authorities there and in the U.S. said Wednesday six people were arrested and three more are still being sought after $16 million worth of gold and currency were stolen from cargo arriving from overseas. Our investigation involves a stolen quantity of gold and foreign currency that were ordered from a refinery in Zurich, Switzerland. The gold and currency were transported in the hull of an Air Canada flight in an improved airline container destined for Toronto. This flight arrived at Toronto's Pearson International Airport on April 17, 2023 at 3.56 p.m. Shortly after, the gold and currency were offloaded from the aircraft and brought into Air Canada cargo facility. At 6.32 p.m., the suspect arrived at Air Canada cargo driving a five-ton truck. The suspect reversed his vehicle to a loading dock and exited the truck. The suspect was carrying a fraudulent airway bill as he approached the warehouse. Regional police in Ontario named nine suspects and say they face 19 charges. At least two were Air Canada employees. Five suspects were arrested in the country and released on bail, while one suspect was arrested in Pennsylvania with firearms and remains in U.S. custody. Police have issued Canada-wide warrants for the other three. Air Canada suspended one employee charged in the theft, while another had already left the airline before the charges were announced. The authorities found more than two pounds of gold and approximately $315,000 worth of Canadian currency. They also found more than 60 firearms believed to have been bought with the stolen money. Following the heist, a Miami-based transport and security services provider, Brinks, sued Air Canada in October, alleging negligence and carelessness. Brinks had been hired by Swiss bank Reifweiss & Schweiss and precious metals refining company Valcambi to move the valuables from Zurich to Toronto.

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