New charges laid in Toronto Pearson airport gold heist investigation

Police have charged another man in connection with a 2023 gold heist at Pearson airport, saying he was arrested after flying into the country on Monday.

Officers picked up 43-year-old Arsalan Chaudhary after he flew to Pearson from Dubai, according to a news release from Peel Regional Police.

Chaudhary was subsequently charged with theft over $5,000, two counts of possession of property obtained by crime, and conspiracy to commit an indictable offence. He was held for a bail hearing, police say.

In a statement, Peel police Chief Nishan Duraiappah said the arrest showcases how officers working alongside international law enforcement partners can disrupt sophisticated criminal activity.

“Let it be known: no matter where you try to run or hide, we will find you,” Duraiappah said.

Police say that on April 17, 2023, a flight arriving from Zurich, Switzerland, carried a cargo shipment containing 400 kilograms of gold — valued at more than $20 million at the time — and about $2.5 million in foreign currency, and the items were reported missing the following day.

Police have called it the largest gold heist in Canadian history, and seven other suspects have previously been arrested in the case.

They say they've issued a warrant for a 27-year-old from Brampton, Ont., who recently pleaded guilty to firearms trafficking-related charges in the United States and is expected to be sentenced later this year.

Police say two suspects also from Brampton, Ont., including a former Air Canada employee, are still at large and warrants have been issued for their arrests.