Prosecutors have withdrawn a charge against a Toronto man accused of taking part in the multi-million dollar gold heist at Pearson airport in 2023.
Ali Raza, 40, of Toronto, was arrested and charged in April 2024 with possession of property obtained by crime for his alleged role in the heist.
The Crown withdrew the charge Wednesday, saying the case against Raza rested on circumstantial evidence.
Standing outside the Brampton Courthouse, Raza said he was happy with the outcome.
“I am innocent,” he said. “The feeling is good.”
Charges dropped against man accused of involvement in Pearson gold heist
Raza spoke little and directed most questions to one of his lawyers, Brij Mohan.
“I’m glad that his ordeal is over now, after almost two years,” Mohan said. “Justice prevailed today.”
The heist took place on April 17, 2023, at Pearson airport after a flight arrived from Zurich, Switzerland, with a cargo shipment of 400 kilograms of gold — valued at more than $20 million at the time — and about $2.5 million in foreign currency. The items were reported missing the following day.
