6 Arrested in Canada’s Largest Gold and Cash Heist, Including 2 Men of Indian Descent

Two Indian-origin men were among six individuals arrested in Canada’s $22.5 million gold and cash heist. The Canadian authorities also issued warrants for three more individuals in the case, according to Peel Regional Police (PRP). The gold and currency had recently arrived on an Air Canada flight from Zurich, Switzerland. At least two former Air Canada employees allegedly assisted in the theft.

One is currently in custody, and an arrest warrant has been issued for the other. Parmpal Sidhu, 54, and Amit Jalota, 40, both of Indian origin from Ontario, were among those arrested, along with Ammad Chaudhary, 43, Ali Raza, 37, and Prasath Paramalingam, 35. Durante King-Mclean, a 25-year-old man from Brampton, is currently in custody in the United States on firearms trafficking-related charges, and investigators have been in contact with him and his legal counsel. The arrests followed a lengthy probe into the crime reported last year.

The police have issued Canada-wide warrants for Simran Preet Panesar, 31, from Brampton, who was also an Air Canada employee at the time of the theft; Archit Grover, 36, from Brampton; and Arsalan Chaudhary, a 42-year-old man from Mississauga. Air Canada spokesman Peter Fitzpatrick confirmed Parmpal Sidhu and Simran Panesar’s employment with the airline, stating that one had left the company prior to the recent arrests, while the other has been suspended. As the matter is before the courts, further comments from the airline are limited. Lead investigator Det.-Sgt.

Mike Mavity referred to the daring theft from an Air Canada cargo facility as the single-largest gold heist in Canadian history, attributing the success of the theft to two men who worked for the airline. “They needed people inside Air Canada to facilitate this theft,” Mavity said. Peel police reported that the cargo was offloaded and transported to a separate location on airport property shortly after landing and that it was subsequently reported missing on April 18. The investigation crossed borders, involving collaborative efforts with the Philadelphia Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF).

In the United States, ATF arrested one individual in possession of 65 illegal firearms, two of which had been modified for fully automatic capabilities, with five of the 65 handguns categorized as ‘ghost guns,’ being unserialized and untraceable. PRP investigators also seized one kilogram of gold worth approximately $89,000 and smelting equipment, along with approximately $434,000 Canadian currency, believed to be part of the theft. Peel Regional Police Chief Nishan Duraiappah emphasized the priority of this investigation and the collaborative efforts with national and international law enforcement partners. He commended the work of investigators, the ATF, law enforcement partners, and the community for their combined efforts in addressing and apprehending those responsible for the crime.

He also reiterated the commitment to working across jurisdictional boundaries to ensure accountability for those involved in the heist.