Three years after orchestrating Canada’s largest gold robbery, Arsalan Chaudhary has admitted in court to masterminding the theft of 6,600 gold bars and millions in foreign currency from Toronto Pearson International Airport in 2023.
Chaudhary, 43, who was arrested at Pearson Airport in January after flying in from Dubai under arrangements made through his lawyers, revealed details of the heist during a hearing on Monday, according to the Toronto Star.
Court documents show that Chaudhary, along with two former Air Canada employees, exploited a cargo delivery that had arrived at an Air Canada warehouse.
The shipment was handed over to the wrong person presenting fake shipping documents, enabling the group to steal gold valued at approximately C$22.5 million.
It is reported in local Canadain media that investigators later found a handwritten ledger in Chaudhary’s possession, which he had used to track the distribution of proceeds from the melted gold.
Crown attorney Jelena Vlacic described the list, valued at C$10.3 million, as detailing payments to individuals involved: an unidentified group received C$5 million, C$1 million went to the “boss,” C$200,000 to “Tommy,” C$150,000 to a “driver,” C$80,000 for a “boat,” C$250,000 for a “condo,” and C$40,000 to “parents.”
Police said the stolen gold was melted and sold in the basement of a jewellery store in Mississauga in the weeks following the theft, but only about C$90,000 worth has been recovered to date.
The court also heard that the alleged getaway driver, Durante King-McLean, fled to the United States after the robbery. Chaudhary said he had arranged the escape, though his brother – whose name was used to book an Airbnb for King-McLean – was unaware. King-McLean was arrested in September 2023 near Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, during a traffic stop where police seized 65 handguns intended for Canada along with two cell phones.
Authorities continue to investigate and recover assets related to the heist. Chaudhary remains in custody, and the matter will proceed through the Canadian court system.
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