Toronto Pearson airport gold heist legal proceedings

Legal proceedings are ongoing regarding a 2023 heist at Toronto Pearson International Airport, where approximately 400 kilograms of gold and millions in currency were stolen from an Air Canada cargo facility.

Prosecutors have dropped all charges against Ali Raza and Amit Jalota, who were accused of assisting in the movement and melting of the stolen gold. Crown attorney Jelena Vlacic informed the Ontario Superior Court that the decision to halt proceedings was based on new evidence, noting that the prosecution’s case previously rested on circumstantial evidence and there was no longer a “reasonable prospect of conviction.”

While charges against Raza and Jalota were withdrawn, other individuals remain involved in the legal process. Arsalan Chaudhary, who admitted his role in the heist, was sentenced to four years in prison and ordered to pay $22 million in restitution.

In Brampton, Ontario, the trial for Parmpal Sidhu has commenced. Sidhu, a former Air Canada warehouse worker, faces charges of theft over $5,000 and conspiracy to commit an indictable offence related to the theft of approximately 6,600 gold bars. The investigation, known as Project 24K, revealed that the gold and foreign currency had been ordered from a refinery in Zurich, Switzerland, and arrived via an Air Canada flight. Suspects allegedly used a fraudulent airway bill to load the shipment onto a five-tonne truck.

Archit Grover, who allegedly owned the truck used in the theft, is also expected to face trial. Following a court decision to sever their prosecutions, both Sidhu and Grover will have their cases decided by a judge rather than a jury. Both men have pleaded not guilty.