Screenshot, Youtube (Peel Regional Police), Cropped by Resist the Mainstream

Canadian authorities have recently made significant progress in what is reported to be the country's largest gold heist. Six men were arrested and warrants have been issued for three more who remain at large.

The crime involved the theft of 6,600 pure gold bars valued at approximately CA$20 million ($14.5 million), along with CA$2.5 million ($1.8 million) in foreign currency. This gold and currency had just arrived by air at Toronto Pearson International Airport when the heist occurred on April 17, 2023.

The operation leading to the arrests was detailed in a statement by Peel Regional Police (PRP) in Ontario.

During a detailed press conference, Peel Regional Police Deputy Sergeant Mike Mavity explained that the suspects executed a sophisticated operation involving a fraudulent airway bill and a five-ton truck.

The truck, driven by a suspect named Durante King-Mclean, was loaded with the gold after presenting the fraudulent documents to an unwitting Air Canada cargo employee. The vehicle was last seen on surveillance cameras heading into a rural area, making its tracking difficult.

PRP Chief Nishan Duraiappah commented on the unusual nature of the case, saying, “This story is a sensational one, and one which, probably, we jokingly say, belongs in the Netflix series, or something greater than that,” as reported by The Daily Caller.

During the ongoing investigation, authorities conducted extensive searches, as explained by Deputy Sergeant Mavity, investigating over 225 residences and businesses in search of the ill-gotten gold. These efforts led to the recovery of about CA$ 430,000, believed to be part of the profits from the illicit sale of the stolen gold.

The scope of the crime extended beyond the heist, intertwining with illegal arms trafficking. Durante King-Mclean was later apprehended in the U.S. following a traffic stop where he attempted to flee. This led to further discoveries as Special Agent in Charge Eric J. DeGree of the ATF Philadelphia Field Division explained that King-Mclean illegally left Canada for the United States and purportedly fled on foot during a traffic stop late at night.

The magnitude of the operation and the subsequent investigation highlighted the complexity and audacity of the crime, with Peel Regional Chair and PRP Service Board Chair Iannica reflecting on the broader implications, “This is also a story about reverse alchemy … this isn’t just about gold, it is about how gold becomes guns,” the Daily Caller quoted.

Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown praised the police's efforts in a statement to reporters.

“What a great day for public safety … These criminals thought they were more sophisticated than the police. They were wrong,” he said, per The Daily Caller.

Organized crime in Canada has a storied history that dates back to the early 20th century. One of the earliest forms of organized crime in the country involved bootlegging during the Prohibition era, which was not only prevalent in the United States but also in Canada. During this time, various groups engaged in the illegal production and distribution of alcohol. The infamous “Rum-running” across the border into the United States was a significant operation. Over the decades, this aspect of organized crime evolved, and different criminal organizations, including the Italian Mafia and various biker gangs, established deeper roots in activities such as drug trafficking, gambling, and money laundering.

By the latter half of the 20th century and into the 21st century, the landscape of organized crime in Canada became more complex and diversified. Several organized crime groups such as the Hells Angels motorcycle club and the Rizzuto crime family became prominent. These groups engaged in various criminal enterprises across the country and had international connections that facilitated drug trafficking routes, particularly for substances like cocaine and heroin.