Canadian prosecutors have withdrawn charges against Amit Jalota and Ali Raza in the April 2023 Toronto Pearson gold heist. More than 6,500 bars valued at about C$20 million and millions in cash were taken after a shipment arrived from Zurich. Defence lawyers say their clients always denied wrongdoing and are relieved to move on; separate convictions and ongoing trials connected to the broader investigation remain.
Charges Dropped Against Two Men Linked to Toronto’s 2023 Gold Heist
In 2024, Peel Regional Police announced a series of charges and arrests linked to the heist. Two of the men named have had their charges dropped. [Toronto Star via Getty Images]
Canadian prosecutors have formally withdrawn criminal charges against Amit Jalota and Ali Raza in connection with the high‑profile April 2023 gold theft at Toronto Pearson International Airport.
What Happened
Investigators say more than 6,500 gold bars, valued at roughly C$20 million (about $14.5m/£11.6m), along with millions in cash, were stolen after a shipment arrived on an Air Canada flight from Zurich, Switzerland. Police allege the perpetrators gained access to the cargo by presenting a forged airway bill and then loaded the bullion—about 400 kg (881 lb) in total—into a truck and drove off.
Charges Withdrawn
Last week prosecutors withdrew the charges against Jalota and Raza. Both men had been accused of possessing stolen bullion or currency connected to the airport robbery.
"He has been punitively and unreasonably punished for the last three years as he was forced to navigate the criminal justice system and the fallout of these allegations that were publicly broadcast both nationally and internationally," Jalota’s lawyer said in a statement to Canadian media.
The defence teams said their clients have consistently denied wrongdoing and expressed relief at the opportunity to rebuild their personal and professional lives after months of disruption.
Wider Investigation And Legal Outcomes
The withdrawal of charges against Jalota and Raza does not end the broader investigation. Earlier in 2024, a Canadian court sentenced one man to four years in prison for his role in planning the theft. Separately, a defendant in the United States pleaded guilty to conspiring to traffic firearms and received a 160‑month sentence after police in Pennsylvania found 65 handguns in his car; Canadian authorities have alleged that proceeds from the bullion theft helped finance some weapons purchases.
Two other suspects are scheduled to stand trial later this year on charges related to conspiracy to commit theft; both have pleaded not guilty. Authorities continue to pursue leads across jurisdictions as part of the international probe into what police described as Canada’s largest bullion theft.
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