Police are investigating a gold theft at Toronto ‘s Pearson International Airport, which is often used to transport gold mined in Ontario.
Canadian officials said more than C$20 million ($15 million, £12 million) of gold and valuables were stolen on Monday, April 17. Containers with “precious” aircraft arrived at the airport in the evening and were transferred to the hold. Police believe a robbery took place there.
The theft could be one of the largest thefts in Canadian history, including the Great Canadian Maple Syrup Heist, which in 2011 and 2012 stole 3,000 tonnes of syrup valued at $18.7 million from a Quebec storage facility.
Peel District Police Inspector Steven Divevestein said the team was looking into “all possibilities” and that Monday’s case was “contained” and “rare.” He said the plane’s container was about 5 square feet, but did not specify how much it weighed. Officials also declined to say which airline delivered the cargo, where it came from or where it was going.
Earlier Thursday, the Toronto Sun reported that police suspect organized crime groups were involved. Mr. Duyvestein said it was too soon to say. The BBC has reached out to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and Pearson Airport for comment.
