Peel police have arrested 36-year-old Archit Grover, a Brampton resident, in connection with the theft of nearly $24 million worth of gold and cash from Toronto Pearson International Airport. The heist, which occurred in April 2023, is the largest gold theft in Canadian history.
Grover was apprehended at Pearson earlier this week after arriving from India. He has been charged with theft over $5,000 and conspiracy to commit an indictable offence. In addition, he faces firearm-related charges in the United States. Grover was held for a bail hearing in Brampton.
The heist involved the theft of 400 kilograms of pure gold, valued at approximately $20 million CAD, along with $2.5 million in various foreign currencies. The stolen assets had arrived on a flight from Zurich, Switzerland, and were taken from the cargo compound after a suspect presented a fraudulent airway bill to warehouse staff, who unknowingly loaded the goods onto the suspect’s truck.
Last month, police arrested five individuals in connection with the case, and their joint investigation with U.S. authorities also led to the interception of a large quantity of firearms intended for Canada.
Police are still searching for two additional suspects:
- Simran Preet Panesar, a 31-year-old former Air Canada employee, is wanted for similar charges. Panesar was a manager at the cargo facility at the time of the theft and resigned after the heist.
- Arsalan Chaudhary, 42, of no fixed address, is wanted for charges related to the theft and possession of stolen property.
Another suspect, 25-year-old Durante King-Mclean of Brampton, is currently in custody in the U.S. for firearm trafficking charges, though police have also issued a warrant for his arrest in connection with the heist.
Investigators continue to make progress in the case and urge the remaining suspects to turn themselves in.
