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Arsalan Chaudhary and Simran Preet Panesar (Source: Peel Police)
A antheral connected Monday charged and arrested from Toronto successful transportation with Project 24K, an probe into the theft of much than $20 cardinal successful golden bars successful 2023, the largest successful Canadian history, arsenic confirmed by Peel Police.So far, 10 radical person been charged oregon are being sought by investigators, with much than 21 charges laid. Two suspects are inactive astatine large, including 1 against whom an extradition petition has been issued.Peel Regional Police arrested 43-year-old Arsalan Chaudhary aft helium arrived successful Toronto connected a formation from Dubai. While 1 of the cardinal suspects, Simran Preet Panesar, a 33-year-old Brampton antheral and erstwhile Air Canada employee, is believed to beryllium successful India, constabulary said.Arsalan Chaudhary has been charged with theft implicit $5,000, 2 counts of possession of spot obtained by crime, and conspiracy to perpetrate an indictable offence. He was held successful custody and is scheduled to look for a bail proceeding connected Wednesday.
'Largest golden heist successful Canadian history'
The apprehension is portion of the probe into what constabulary person described arsenic “the largest golden heist successful Canadian history,” involving golden and currency worthy much than $20 million.
Seven different suspects person already been arrested successful transportation with the case.Peel constabulary main Nishan Duraiappah said the apprehension highlights the interaction of planetary practice successful tackling organised crime.“Let it beryllium known: nary substance wherever you effort to tally oregon hide, we volition find you,” Duraiappah said.
What is the case?
The heist took spot connected April 17, 2023, aft a formation arriving from Zurich, Switzerland landed astatine Pearson airport.
The craft was carrying a cargo shipment containing 400 kilograms of gold, valued astatine implicit $20 cardinal astatine the time, on with astir $2.5 cardinal successful overseas currency. The cargo was reported missing the pursuing day.Police accidental 2 groups were involved, Air Canada employees allegedly helped facilitate the theft, portion a radical of outsiders handled the cognition extracurricular the airport. Chaudhary is believed to beryllium portion of the second group.“Once the golden was removed from Air Canada cargo, helium helped, we believe, facilitate the merchantability and get it yet retired of Canada,” researcher Mavity said.
Allegations against Chaudhary
According to the Crown’s connection of allegations, obtained by CBC’s The Fifth Estate and not yet tested successful court, Chaudhary was “the astir progressive successful the readying of the theft.” The papers besides alleges helium helped organise different suspect’s formation to the United States and played a relation successful different post-offence activities.One fishy referred to him arsenic the heist’s “top dog,” the papers said.Following the incident, constabulary raided an flat wherever Chaudhary had been living. They seized $154,000 successful Canadian cash, aggregate cellphones and SIM cards, and 2 handwritten lists detailing the allocation of funds toward assorted assets totalling $9 million.The allegations further authorities that connected the time of the heist, Chaudhary exchanged calls oregon messages with 2 different suspects 772 times.
Hunt continues for remaining suspects
Peel constabulary said efforts are ongoing to apprehension 2 remaining suspects, including Panesar.“We really person an extradition bid that we swore to and was served connected the Indian authorities precocious past year, requesting his extradition. We’re inactive waiting for that,” a constabulary inspector said.Investigators are besides searching for Prasath Paramalingam, a 36-year-old Brampton antheral who is the taxable of a seat warrant aft failing to look successful tribunal connected August 19, 2024.“We’re not wholly definite wherever helium is, but we’re besides looking for him arsenic well,” Mavity said.
