Police have made an additional arrest in connection with a significant gold robbery at Pearson airport in 2023, apprehending a man upon his arrival in Canada on Monday. Peel Regional Police Insp. Mike Mavity informed CBC News that 43-year-old Arsalan Chaudhary was taken into custody after flying to Toronto from Dubai. Chaudhary voluntarily surrendered himself with the assistance of his lawyers, although the precise reason for his decision to do so remains unclear.
Chaudhary now faces charges of theft exceeding $5,000, two counts of possessing unlawfully acquired property, and conspiracy to commit a serious offense. Following his arrest, he was detained for a bail hearing scheduled for Wednesday.
Peel police Chief Nishan Duraiappah emphasized that the arrest demonstrates the effectiveness of collaborative efforts between law enforcement agencies in disrupting sophisticated criminal operations. Duraiappah warned criminals that evading justice is not an option, stating, “Let it be known: no matter where you try to run or hide, we will find you.”
The gold heist, labeled the largest in Canadian history, occurred on April 17, 2023, involving a shipment of 400 kilograms of gold and $2.5 million in foreign currency on a flight from Zurich, Switzerland. The items, valued at over $20 million at the time, were reported missing the following day.
Authorities have identified two groups involved in the theft: Air Canada employees allegedly facilitating the crime and an external group to which Chaudhary belonged. Mavity explained that Chaudhary played a role in selling the stolen gold and orchestrating its removal from Canada.
According to court documents obtained by CBC’s The Fifth Estate, Chaudhary was heavily involved in planning the theft and coordinating post-offense activities. He was referred to as the primary orchestrator of the heist by one of the suspects.
Following the incident, police conducted a search of Chaudhary’s residence, seizing various items, including $154,000 in Canadian currency, cellphones, SIM cards, and detailed lists allocating funds totaling $9 million to various assets. The Crown’s allegations also revealed extensive communication between Chaudhary and other suspects before and after the heist.
Additionally, investigators have issued a warrant for a 27-year-old man from Brampton, Ontario, linked to the case, who is facing firearms trafficking charges in the U.S. Two other suspects from Brampton, one being a former Air Canada employee, remain at large, with warrants issued for their arrest.