Police say they have made nine arrests in a Toronto Pearson bust of $24 million in gold and cash.

BRAMPTON, Ont. — Nine people have been arrested and charged in the theft of nearly $24 million in gold and cash from Toronto's Pearson Airport last year, police said.

Peel Regional Police said a joint task force investigation with the US Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, known as Project 24K, led to the arrests and stopped an attempt to import firearms from the US into Canada in connection with the case.

The news comes on the one year anniversary of the daring theft.

American security company Brink's has filed a lawsuit against Air Canada, accusing the thief of providing false documents to get nearly $23.8 million worth of merchandise from a Pearson Airport holding company.

Brink's statement said Air Canada employees handed over 400 kilograms of gold worth more than $20 million to the thief, along with about $2 million in cash.

In its statement of defence, Air Canada denied any wrongdoing or responsibility for the theft and denied all allegations in Brink's lawsuit.

This Canadian Press report was first published on April 17, 2024.

Canadian Press