Major Arrest in Long-Running Toronto Pearson Gold Theft Case
Canadian authorities have scored a key development in their investigation of one of the country’s most audacious crimes when a suspect linked to a massive gold heist was arrested at Toronto Pearson International Airport. The case centers on the disappearance of a multimillion-dollar gold shipment in 2023, and police continue to chase leads spanning multiple countries.
Suspect Taken Into Custody After Flying From Dubai
On Monday morning, Peel Regional Police officers detained 43-year-old Arsalan Chaudhary shortly after he landed in Toronto on a flight from Dubai, the United Arab Emirates. Chaudhary, who had notified authorities via his lawyer of his intention to return to Canada, was immediately arrested and charged with multiple offences related to the theft.
He faces charges including theft over $5,000, possession of property obtained by crime and conspiracy to commit an indictable offence. Officers held him in custody ahead of a bail hearing as the investigation proceeds.
Canada’s Largest Heist Was a Sophisticated Job
The original incident occurred on April 17, 2023, when a cargo plane arriving from Zurich, Switzerland, was offloaded at Pearson Airport. Around 400 kilograms of pure gold bars, valued at more than $20 million CAD, along with about $2.5 million in various currencies, disappeared from a secure storage area within hours. Police quickly launched what they call Project 24K to track down the shipment and its movers.
Investigators say the scheme involved insiders who allegedly manipulated airline systems to divert the cargo, then moved the valuables into broader criminal networks.
Another Suspect Believed to Be in India
As Chaudhary’s arrest makes headlines, Peel police confirm that at least one prime suspect remains at large and is believed to be in India. That figure, a former Air Canada employee charged in earlier stages of the probe, is currently the subject of a Canada-wide arrest warrant and an extradition request submitted to the Indian government.
Authorities allege that stolen gold was likely melted down and sold overseas, perhaps in markets like Dubai or India where pure gold can be re-shaped and resold more easily. Only a small quantity of the stolen assets has been recovered so far, leaving a significant portion unaccounted for.
Case Continues to Unfold
The Pearson gold heist has drawn intense scrutiny since 2023, with multiple arrests already made and charges laid against several individuals in both Canada and abroad. Police stress that solving the case requires ongoing international cooperation, especially in tracking suspects who may cross borders.
With Chaudhary in custody and more suspects still walked off the grid, Project 24K remains an active and evolving criminal investigation
