Canadian Police Make Arrests in Biggest Gold Theft in Country’s History
In a dramatic turn of events, Canadian police have announced that arrests have been made and warrants issued in connection with the largest gold theft in the country’s history. Canadian police have arrested nine people in last years theft of 880 pounds of gold (400 kilograms) and over $2 Million in currency. Those people include an Air Canada warehouse employee and an Air Canada manager who helped the thieves steal the freight container of gold from Toronto Pearson International Airport.
According to authorities, the elaborate heist was executed by a well-organized group of criminals in a manner reminiscent of a “Netflix-series”. The investigation, codenamed Project 24K, has been ongoing for a year and has involved dozens of search warrants and interviews.
In a surprising twist, the alleged driver of the operation was arrested in the US, where he was found carrying dozens of guns intended for use in Canada. The suspect, identified as Durante King-McClean, 25, was apprehended in Philadelphia for a traffic violation, during which firearms were discovered in his vehicle.
Several arrests have been made in connection with the theft, with five suspects, including two airline employees, already in custody. However, three individuals remain at large, with Canada-wide arrest warrants issued for their apprehension.
How Thieves Stole $20 Million in Gold and Cash from Air Canada
Air Canada flew $18 Million in gold bars from the Valcambi refinery of Switzerland in April of 2023. The next day a truck driver working with the thieves appeared at the airline’s cargo warehouse with a fake bill that was provided to an airline warehouse manager. Peel Regional police detectives say the fake bill was actually for a container of frozen seafood that had arrived the day before.
Millions in Gold Bars Loaded into a Freight Truck
A driver with a white, five-ton freight truck arrived with the fake seafood bill to claim the gold container. Without any security checks the Air Canada warehouse employees pushed the gold container into the freight truck with a fork lift. The driver drove away from the airport and followed the highway for 40 minutes, then turned off into country roads to escape the eye of traffic cameras.
The Peel Regional police were later able to reconstruct the truck’s route with video from traffic cameras and building surveillance cameras. A Brinks security truck arrived 3 hours later to find the gold already gone. Air Canada employees spent hours trying to locate the container of gold bars. Police arrived later and began investigating.
What Happened to the Stolen Gold Bars?
Peel Regional police have worked with US law enforcement to track the thieves for the past year. The police eventually discovered what happened to the gold. Most of the gold was melted down to be transported as gold bracelets and other untraceable forms. The police also recovered more than 60 firearms bought with the stolen money. U.S. ATF Special Agent, Eric DeGree said dozens of firearms were seized, including two fully automatic weapons and five guns that were untraceable.
Brinks Sues Air Canada Over the Theft
Following the theft, Miami based security firm Brinks started a lawsuit, claiming that Air Canada was negligent in allowing the gold freight container to be taken without proper safeguards. The Brinks lawsuit claims breach of contract and millions of dollars in damages. Brinks said an “unidentified individual” gained access to the airline’s cargo warehouse and presented a “fraudulent” waybill shortly after an Air Canada flight from Zurich, Switzerland. The suit also claims the staff then handed over 400 kilograms of gold bars plus nearly $2 million in cash to the thief, who promptly “absconded with the cargo.”
Truck Driver Arrested in Pennsylvania on Weapons Charges
Forensic evidence linked the fake seafood bill to the driver who transported the stolen freight container. U.S. ATF Special Agent, Eric DeGree, said Durante King-Mclean, was arrested in Pennsylvania after a traffic stop and that led to the seizure of 65 illegal firearms that were allegedly destined to be smuggled into Canada. DeGree said he tried to flee after police discovered the firearms in his rental car. The truck driver that allegedly picked up the gold, Durante King-Mclean, a 25-year-old from Brampton, is currently in custody in the U.S. on firearms and trafficking related charges.
Peel Regional Deputy Chief Nick Milinovich said only CA$90,000 ($65,000) of the more than CA$20 million has been recovered.
