Who are the Indian-origin men behind Canada’s biggest gold heist? – Firstpost

Another arrest has been made in the largest gold heist in Canadian history. Arsalan Chaudhary, 43, was picked up by the police after he flew to Toronto from Dubai.

Seven other suspects have been previously arrested in connection with the 2023 gold theft at the Toronto Pearson Airport. Many of these accused have Indian roots.

We take a look.

Canada’s biggest gold heist

As many as 6,600 gold bars worth C$20 million ($14.5 million) and millions in cash were stolen from Toronto Pearson Airport in April 2023.

Police mentioned the “Netflix-series”-style heist was carried out by a “well-organised group of criminals”. The ongoing investigation into the robbery has been code-named Project 24K.

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On April 17, 2023, an Air Canada flight with a cargo shipment containing 400 kilogrammes of gold and about C$2.5 million in foreign currency arrived from Zurich, Switzerland, to the airport in Toronto.

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As per the Canadian police, a suspect used a forged airway bill, showing the cargo as seafood. The accused posed as a legitimate driver, collected the shipment and disappeared.

A five-tonne lorry was used to steal the C$20 million worth of gold, police reported.

The robbery was reported the following day. This led to a widespread investigation involving Peel Regional Police and the United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

Peel Regional Police Inspector Mike Mavity told CBC News in an interview that two groups participated in the heist – one of Air Canada employees, who police accuse of helping facilitate the theft, and a bunch of outsiders.

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So far, police have recovered $430,000 in cash and six bracelets of “pure gold” worth C$90,000. They also seized smelting pots, casts and moulds used to melt the stolen gold.

At least ten people have been charged or are the subject of warrants.

The police believe that “a significant portion of the gold left for foreign markets very soon after the heist, and a large portion was believed to have gone overseas – Dubai or India”, reported Indian Express.

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In September 2023, US police arrested an Ontario man, identified as Durante King-McClean, carrying dozens of guns that police say were intended for use in Canada. King-McLean was the alleged driver of the getaway truck in the gold heist.

He pleaded guilty in the US to firearms trafficking linked to the proceeds of the heist and is awaiting sentencing there.

Accused in Canada’s biggest gold heist

The latest arrest made in the biggest gold heist in Canadian history is of Arsalan Chaudhary, who police say had “no fixed address”.

The Peel Regional Police arrested fugitive Chaudhary at Toronto Pearson International Airport on Monday (January 12), moments after he arrived on a flight from Dubai. He was later charged with theft over C$5,000 (Rs 3.3 lakh), two counts of possession of property obtained by crime, and conspiracy to commit an indictable offence, reported CBC News.

Police believe he helped with the sales of stolen gold. “Once the gold was removed from Air Canada cargo, he helped, we believe, facilitate the sale and get it ultimately out of Canada," Mavity remarked.

The Crown’s statement of allegations, which was exclusively obtained by CBC’s The Fifth Estate, says Chaudhary was “the most involved in the planning of the theft” — as well as another suspect’s flight to the US and “other post-offence conduct.”

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According to the document, a suspect referred to him as the heist’s “top dog”. The document also claimed that on the day of the heist, Chaudhary called or messaged two other suspects linked to the case 772 times.

A day after the robbery, a suspect texted Chaudhary on WhatsApp saying, “I’m so joyful for you Bro,” and “I can’t even sleep, lol”. To this, Chaudhary allegedly responded, “it’s insane.”

Investigators say they have also issued a warrant for 27-year-old King-McClean.

Simran Preet Panesar, a 33-year-old former Air Canada employee, and Prasath Paramalingam, 36, of Brampton, remain at large.

Parampal Sidhu was also an employee of Air Canada at the time of the heist. The Peel Regional Police believe that he “worked together” with Panesar and “facilitated the heist” as they were the “insiders”.

Archit Grover was arrested in May 2024 when he surrendered after landing at the Pearson International Airport. “Archit Grover flew into the Pearson Airport. We were in touch with his lawyer and we had information that he was flying in. We arrested him. He was held for a bail hearing”, Indian Express reported, citing Peel Regional Police’s documents.

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Other Indian-origin men arrested in the case include Amit Jalota, Ammad Chaudhary and Ali Raza.

According to the police documents, Grover is a “long-time friend of Parampal and employer of King-McLean. Grover also owned the trucking company that owned the truck used in the theft. Amit Jalota is Archit Grover’s cousin and his associate Arsalan Chaudhary looked after the stolen gold. Jalota facilitated melting of the gold through Ali Raza. Ammad Chaudhary, Prasath Parmalingam and Arsalan Chaudhary assisted King Mc-Lean in crossing the border and helped him stay in the United States of America for a long time”.

Is Simran Preet Panesar in India?

Simran Preet Panesar, another accused in the gold heist, is believed to be in India.

According to the Canadian police reports, Panesar was “an Air Canada employee, who searched for and identified the incoming shipment” and “also manipulated the Air Cargo system to facilitate the physical removal of the container.”

The investigation report alleged, “He was integral (to the heist). You need him. He is crucial to this, absolutely crucial. He is on top of the food chain.”

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Panesar, who is facing a Canada-wide warrant, is residing on the outskirts of Chandigarh.
Over a month-long investigation by Indian Express, in collaboration with CBC News’ The Fifth Estate, found that the accused was living in a rented accommodation with his family, including his wife Preety Panesar, a former Miss India Uganda, a singer and an actor.

Leading a normal life, he is helping his wife and family’s business affairs. Panesar was a resident of Brampton, Ontario, at the time of the heist. He was the one who even “led police on a tour of the cargo facility before the police suspected his alleged involvement”.

Soon after the theft, he moved out of Canada and came to India.

Days after the Indian Express report, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) had conducted raids at Panesar’s residence in Mohali and two other locations for wealth laundering. The agency subsequently lodged an Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR) in the case.

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According to ED officials, he, along with his wife, arrived in Mohali about three months after the heist. After his arrival in India, he allegedly received notable hawala payments.

Sources in the ED told ThePrint that Panesar is suspected to have received nearly Rs 8.5 crore from the Pearson airport gold heist, almost all of which was allegedly spent on producing a movie for his wife.

“Several entries have been made in the hawala diaries showing payment amounting to Rs 8.5 crore between November 2023 and February this year, strongly suggesting that funds were transferred starting a few months after the gold heist and till the time capital laundering investigation started,” an ED officer noted.

A Look Out Circular (LOC) was also obtained by the ED last year to prevent Panesar from leaving the country.

Canadian authorities have now reportedly contacted their Indian counterparts, requesting the extradition of Panesar in connection with the 2023 gold heist.

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“An extradition request has been submitted, and he is wanted on charges of theft over $5,000 and conspiracy to commit an indictable offence,” a Peel Regional Police spokesperson stated in a statement.

With inputs from agencies

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