Police in Canada reported that a container carrying gold and miscellaneous items valued at more than 20 million Canadian dollars (about 14.8 million US dollars) was stolen on Thursday. The incident occurred at Pearson International Airport in Toronto, a place where this precious metal is usually shipped.
The container was reportedly removed from a holding area facility after being unloaded from a plane on Monday night, Peel Regional Police Inspector Stephen Duivesteyn said.
“As per normal procedure, the aircraft was unloaded and the cargo was transported from the aircraft to a hold cargo facility,” he commented, adding that “the container contained high-value cargo. It contained gold, but not only gold. It contained other items of monetary value.”On Monday the cargo was transported from the plane to a holding cargo facility, where it is believed to have been stolen (REUTERS)
The local media Toronto Sun estimated that the container measured approximately 0.46 square meters and contained some 1,632 kilos of precious metal. That is why, although it seems like a large amount, in this context and places it could have been removed from the site in a van, without the need for major logistics.
Although the case was reported this Thursday, the fact was reported hours later on Monday, so the investigation has already been going on for three days. “Our researchers have kept their eyes open to all avenues” ever since, Duivesteyn added. However, he refused to mention where the plane came from or its final destination. “This is very strange,” he simply said.
At the moment, the participation of organized crime groups is not ruled out since, for a long time, airports have been used to steal and move illegally acquired goods. Even in the Toronto area, gangs operate that place their members in positions there or commit employees to carry out their operations. Organized crime gangs place their members in airport posts or commit employees to carry out their operations (REUTERS)
However, the possibility that it is a maneuver to finance acts of terrorism has been ruled out. Otherwise, the situation would have required a more detailed protocol that includes the partial closure of parts of the airport and further monitoring by local authorities.
“We believe this is an isolated incident. Therefore, travelers should not be worried about coming to Toronto. We do not consider it a matter of public safety, ”they emphasized from the police.
In any case, it is known that Canada is a country with a thriving mining industry, so it is common for gold to be transported both within the nation and to other countries.
This sinister could become one of the biggest robberies in the history of the country where, where more than a decade ago -2011 and 2012- the Great Canadian Maple Syrup Theft took place. Then, 3,000 tons of this syrup – estimated at about 18.7 million dollars – were stolen from a storage center in Quebec.
