Another man of Indian origin has been arrested in connection with Canada’s largest cash and gold heist. On April 17, 2023, thieves stole a container from Toronto’s Pearson International Airport containing over 22 million Canadian dollars in gold and currency.
According to Peels Regional Police, the items were taken from a secure facility using counterfeit documents.
The heist occurred after the valuables were transported via Air Canada from Zurich and moved to a separate airport area. The loss was reported to police the following day. On May 6, 2024, authorities arrested 36-year-old Archit Grover at the Toronto airport upon his return from India. A Canada-wide arrest warrant had been previously issued for him.
Grover faces charges of theft exceeding 5,000 Canadian dollars and conspiracy to commit an indictable offence. His initial court appearance was at the Ontario Court of Justice in Brampton. Additionally, he faces firearm-related charges in the US.
Last month’s arrests included two other men of Indian origin, Parmpal Sidhu and Amit Jalota, along with Ammad Chaudhary, Ali Raza, and Prasath Paramalingam. Arrest warrants remain for Simran Preet Panesar and Arsalan Chaudhary, with at least one former Air Canada employee implicated in aiding the heist.
Peter Fitzpatrick, an Air Canada spokesperson, confirmed the employment of Sidhu and Panesar with the airline. Following the incident, one was suspended, and the other had already left the company.
The stolen cargo comprised 6,600 gold bars of 400 kilograms, valued at over 20 million dollars, plus an additional 2.5 million foreign currency. Police have since recovered one kilogram of gold, smelting equipment, and around 434,000 Canadian dollars, all believed to be linked to the heist.
