Canadian authorities have arrested a 43-year-old man in connection with the country's largest gold heist, involving the theft of approximately 400 kilograms of .9999-pure gold valued at more than $20 million. Arsalan Chaudhary was taken into custody on Monday, January 12, 2026, at Toronto Pearson International Airport upon his arrival from Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Peel Regional Police described him as having "no fixed address" and charged him with theft over $5,000, possession of property obtained by crime, and conspiracy to commit an indictable offense.

The audacious theft occurred on April 17, 2023, when a cargo shipment arrived at Toronto Pearson International Airport from Zurich, Switzerland. The consignment included around 6,600 gold bars weighing 400 kilograms, along with $2.5 million in foreign currency. After being offloaded and moved to a separate location on airport property, the valuable cargo was reported missing within hours. The incident prompted an extensive cross-border investigation codenamed Project 24K, which has so far led to charges or arrest warrants against ten individuals.

Among the key figures in the case is Simran Preet Panesar, a 33-year-old former Air Canada employee from Brampton, Ontario, who is believed to be currently in India. Authorities allege that Panesar used his access to airline systems to identify and divert the shipment. Last year, he was traced to a rented flat on the outskirts of Chandigarh, and a Canada-wide arrest warrant has been issued for him. Police have indicated that efforts are ongoing to secure his extradition or apprehension.

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Several other suspects have already been apprehended in connection with the heist. These include Archit Grover, arrested at Pearson Airport in May 2024 upon returning from India; former Air Canada employee Parmpal Sidhu, 54, and Amit Jalota, 40, both from Ontario; Prasath Paramalingam, 36, from Brampton; Ali Raza, 37, from Toronto; Ammad Chaudhary, 43, from Brampton; and Durante King-Mclean, 27, also from Brampton, who is currently in U.S. custody on separate firearms trafficking charges.

Peel Regional Police Chief Nishan Duraiappah emphasized the significance of the ongoing investigation, stating that Project 24K highlights the force's commitment to tackling sophisticated, high-value crimes through collaboration with national and international partners. "This investigation demonstrates the dedication and expertise of Peel Regional Police in tackling complex, high-stakes crime," he said. "Let it be known: no matter where you try to run or hide, we will find you." The case continues to unfold as authorities pursue remaining suspects and seek to recover the stolen gold.

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