Who are Indian-origin men involved in Project 24K case? Police make one arrest, know how it happened
In the biggest gold heist in Canadian history in 2023, the country’s police arrested a man of Indian origin while another remains at large. Many suspects had previously been arrested in connection with the incident.
Canada’s biggest gold heist: Police arrest man of Indian origin
Two men of Indian origin were arrested by Canadian police in what was Canada’s largest gold robbery in the country’s history. One of them, 43-year-old Arsalan Chaudhary, was arrested after flying from Dubai to Toronto.
Who is Arsalan Chaudhary?
Canadian police in Peel Region arrested Chaudhary on Monday, January 12, 2026, at Toronto Pearson International Airport. He is accused of playing a key role in Canada’s largest gold heist in April 2023, in which approximately 400 kg of gold bars (valued at over $20 million) and foreign currency were stolen.
According to police, Chaudhary has been found at no particular location and is charged with theft over $5,000 and conspiracy to commit a criminal offense.
Who is Simran Preet Panesar?
Simran Preet is another suspect who is at large and is believed by Canadian authorities to be in India. The 33-year-old actor previously worked for Air Canada and hails from Brampton. Investigators allege he may have used his employees’ access to airline systems to track and move the gold shipment.
What is Canada’s biggest gold heist?
The case dates back to 2023, when a cargo shipment containing 6,600 gold bars worth C$20 million (US$14.5 million) and US$2.5 million in cash was stolen from Toronto Pearson Airport on April 17, 2023. The shipment had arrived at Toronto airport on an Air Canada flight from Zurich, Switzerland. Describing the theft, police said a suspect posed as a driver and showed him a fake airline invoice to allow the cargo, which he said contained seafood, to go. After confirmation, he received the shipment and disappeared.
Police also said that a 5-ton truck was used to steal the cargo containing 400 kilograms of gold. Calling it a “Netflix series” style burglary, police claimed a “well-organized group of criminals” carried out the plan. Police named the investigation Project 24K.
The robbery was reported the next day and led to an extensive investigation by Peel Regional Police and the United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The shipment was unloaded and transported to a facility, but was reported missing hours later.
Seven other suspects, many of whom were of Indian origin, had previously been arrested in connection with the case.
