Who is Arsalan Chaudhary? Canada arrests suspected mastermind behind $20 million Toronto Pearson gold heist

Canada’s Peel Regional Police said that they arrested two men in connection with what was described as the largest gold heist in Canadian history.   

On Monday, a 43-year-old Arsalan Chaudhary was arrested at Toronto International Airport as he flew in from Dubai, United Arab Emirates, as part of Project 24K, an investigation into the theft of gold bars worth over $20 million. 

Chaudhary had no fixed address and faces charges of theft over $5000, two counts of possession of property obtained by crime, and conspiracy to commit an indictable offence. He was held for a bail hearing and appeared in the Ontario Court of Justice in Brampton.

Peel Regional Police Insp. Mike Mavity told CBC News that Chaudhary arranged to turn himself in through his lawyer, and he didn't know specifically why he chose to surrender.   

Chaudhary is one of the final suspects to be captured in the Project 24K probe.

Investigators say that about 21 charges were laid to about 10 people who were the subject of warrants in relation to the case.

The heist took place on April 17, 2023. Police said that a cargo shipment arriving at Pearson from Zurich, Switzerland, went missing and that the shipment contained 400 kilograms of .9999 pure gold. There were a total of 6,600 bars valued at more than $20 million along with $2.5 foreign currency.

After the plane landed the gold and cargo were transported from the plane to a cargo facility. One of the suspects drove a five-ton truck to the warehouse, provided a fraudulent airway billl to the warehouse attendant and loaded the gold onto the vehicle and drove away. 

In 2024, police seized $312,000 worth of cash which they believed to be some of the profits the suspects made after selling the gold along with Smelting pots, casts and molds which they believe were used to change the composition of the gold bars.                                                                                                               
Two groups were involved in the case, one consisting of Air Canada employees who police allege helped facilitate the theft and a group of outsiders to which Chaudhary belonged.

“Once the gold was removed from Air Canada cargo, he helped, we believe, facilitate the sale and get it ultimately out of Canada," Mavity said.                                                                                           

Two suspects remain absconding: Preet Panesar and Prasath Paramalingam.
Panesar, a 33-year-old former Air Canada employee from Brampton, is wanted on Canada-wide warrants for theft over $5,000 and conspiracy. He is believed to be in India, and an extradition request has been submitted. Paramalingam, a 36-year-old man from Brampton, failed to appear in court in August 2024, and a bench warrant has been issued.

Those arrested include 54-year-old Parmpal Sidhu, a former Air Canada employee, 40-year-old Amit Jalota, Ali Raza, a 37-year-old from Toronto and 43-year-old Ammad Chaudhary.                                                                                                                                        
Durante King-Mclean, a 27-year-old from Brampton, had pleaded guilty to firearms-trafficking-related charges in the United States and is expected to be sentenced later this year in relation to the case.

Peel Regional Police Chief Nishan Duraiappah, in a post on X said, "Project24K is a clear example of how our officers, working alongside national and international partners, can disrupt sophisticated criminal activity and hold those responsible accountable. Let it be known: no matter where you try to run or hide, we will find you."