Ahmad 
Canadian police have arrested six people who carried out the largest gold theft in Canadian history, with a script inspired by Hollywood thrillers.
The operation took place at a service facility at Toronto Pearson International Airport last year.
Peel Regional Police Chief Nishan Durayaba told a news conference that the theft was part of a series of elaborate operations carried out by an organized criminal network.
He pointed out that the incident is among the largest gold thefts in North America and the sixth in the world in terms of size, and police revealed that the defendants melted the stolen gold and used its value to buy firearms illegally.
Investigators were able to identify the defendants, issued three arrest warrants and brought more than 19 charges against them.
The operation was called “Operation 24 carats” and included searches of 225 homes and companies in search of evidence, and more than 50 people were investigated, and five suspects were arrested in Canada, while another person remained detained in the US state of Pennsylvania after being found in possession of 65 illegal firearms.
The theft dates back to the evening of April 17, 2023, when the gold disappeared after being shipped to Toronto Airport, and a man was able via a truck and a fake air waybill to receive the shipment and escape.
The shipment included 6,600 gold bars weighing 419 kilograms, along with C$2.5 million in foreign banknotes.
Police continue to search for the rest of the stolen gold and have so far confiscated C$430,000 (US$312,000) worth of proceeds from the sale of stolen gold and six gold bracelets worth C$89,000 (US$65,000).
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