Canadian authorities are investigating a major heist at Toronto’s Pearson International Airport, where a container carrying high-value items was stolen after being unloaded from a plane at a cargo facility. The thieves made off with more than $14m in gold and other valuables on Monday, according to police. The Regional Police Inspector, Stephen Duivesteyn, told the Toronto Star that the container had a high-value shipment, which included gold and other items of monetary value. The robbery was described as “very rare”, and no arrests have been made so far.
The Greater Toronto Airports Authority released a statement saying that the thieves accessed the public side of a warehouse leased to a third party and outside its primary security line. Gold mined in Canada is frequently held at Pearson Airport before it is flown overseas, and almost half of Canada’s air cargo goes through the airport.
This is not the first time that Pearson Airport has been targeted by thieves. In 1952, gold bars valued at about $2.5m today were stolen from the facility, and no suspects were ever identified. Monday’s theft marks one of the biggest in Canada’s history, including a maple syrup heist in 2011 and 2012 in which thieves siphoned off 9,600 barrels valued at $15m to $20m from a warehouse in Quebec province.
The investigation into the heist is ongoing, and authorities are looking at all angles on how the item was stolen. The theft has raised concerns about security at Pearson Airport and the need for better measures to protect high-value cargo.
In recent years, there have been several high-profile thefts of valuable goods from airports around the world. In 2013, thieves stole $50m worth of diamonds from a plane at Brussels Airport in Belgium. In 2016, robbers stole $10m worth of jewelry from a safe deposit box at London’s Heathrow Airport.
Airports are vulnerable to theft because they are often located in remote areas and have large amounts of valuable cargo passing through them. Criminals can exploit weaknesses in security systems and procedures to gain access to high-value items.
To prevent such incidents from happening, airports need to implement robust security measures that include physical barriers, surveillance systems, and access control systems. They also need to train their staff to be vigilant and report any suspicious activity.
In addition, airports need to work closely with law enforcement agencies to share information and coordinate their efforts to prevent and investigate thefts. This requires a high level of collaboration and communication between different agencies, including customs, border protection, and airport security.
The theft at Pearson Airport is a reminder that airports need to be constantly vigilant and proactive in their efforts to protect high-value cargo. The consequences of a theft can be significant, not only in terms of financial losses but also in terms of damage to the reputation of the airport and the wider aviation industry.
In conclusion, the theft at Pearson Airport highlights the need for better security measures at airports around the world. Airports need to invest in technology and training to prevent thefts and work closely with law enforcement agencies to investigate such incidents. By doing so, they can ensure that high-value cargo is protected and that passengers can travel safely and securely.