A Brampton man accused of being the getaway driver in the brazen 2023 gold heist at Toronto’s Pearson Airport is now behind bars in the United States. Durante King-McLean pleaded guilty to arms trafficking charges in Pennsylvania, as prosecutors allege that the gun-running was part of a scheme to launder some of the $20 million in stolen gold through weapons.
King-McLean was arrested by Pennsylvania state troopers in September 2023, just months after the audacious heist at Pearson. Since then, he has remained in custody. The U.S. Justice Department claims in court filings that King-McLean illegally entered the country and then traveled north from Florida along the iron highway, stopping to purchase various weapons. His final destination was Canada.
Earlier this month, he inked his guilty plea, admitting to conspiracy to traffic firearms. As a result, King-McLean now faces a potential 15-year sentence in a U.S. federal prison, with a judge set to finalize the deal. He is scheduled to appear in court on May 14, 2025, in Harrisburg.
During the arrest, police discovered 65 firearms allegedly intended for the streets of Canada when they pulled him over. Peel Regional Police allege that King-McLean used money obtained from the heist to fund his gun purchases. Investigators assert that he was the driver of the white van that sped away from an Air Canada cargo building, loaded with over $20 million worth of gold and a substantial amount of foreign currency.
The investigation into the Pearson heist has proven to be a long and arduous process. Internal documents obtained by The Fifth Estate suggest that Arsalan Chaudhary may have been the mastermind behind what is being called the biggest heist in Canadian history. As of now, Chaudhary faces charges of theft over $5,000 and possession of property obtained by crime in Canada.
Two other suspects implicated in the arms trafficking investigation are Archit Grover, who is currently awaiting trial in Canada, and Prasath Paramalingam, whose whereabouts remain unknown. Reports indicate that Paramalingam allegedly assisted King-McLean in slipping into the U.S., purchasing the firearms, and even booking a Florida Airbnb for him.
As the investigation continues, it remains unclear whether King-McLean’s plea will have any implications for the gold heist investigation or if he will ultimately be extradited to Canada. Law enforcement agencies are working diligently to piece together the full scope of the operation that led to the theft of such a massive amount of gold.
The heist at Pearson Airport, which occurred in late 2023, shocked many and raised questions about security protocols at one of Canada’s busiest airports. With millions in gold taken, authorities have been under pressure to resolve the case and bring those responsible to justice.
In a landscape where organized crime often intersects with high-stakes theft, the case highlights the lengths to which individuals may go to profit from such crimes. King-McLean’s guilty plea adds a layer of complexity to the ongoing investigation, as law enforcement seeks to unravel the connections between the gold heist and the arms trafficking operation.
Despite the arrests made so far, the investigation remains ongoing. Authorities continue to search for additional suspects and gather evidence that could lead to further charges. The involvement of firearms in this case raises alarms about the potential for violence associated with organized crime and the trafficking of weapons across borders.
As the legal proceedings unfold, the public will be watching closely to see how this case develops. With King-McLean facing serious charges in the U.S., the implications for the Canadian investigation could be significant. Will he cooperate with authorities? Will more arrests follow? Only time will tell.
In the meantime, the story of the Pearson Airport heist serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities within our security systems and the ongoing challenges faced by law enforcement in combating organized crime. The potential link between the gold heist and arms trafficking highlights the intricate web of crime that can emerge when greed and desperation collide.
As the court date approaches for King-McLean, many questions remain unanswered. The investigation is far from over, and the repercussions of the heist will likely resonate across both the United States and Canada as authorities strive to bring all those involved to justice.
In a world where crime often pays, the ongoing saga of the Pearson Airport heist is a cautionary tale of ambition, betrayal, and the relentless pursuit of wealth at any cost.
