Millions in gold, valuables stolen from Toronto’s Pearson Airport

Perpetrators of the "very rare" heist are said to have made off with $20 million worth of goods.

According to Peel Regional Police Inspector Stephen Duivesteyn, the container in question was being stored at a holding cargo facility at the airport when it was removed via "illegal means."

He explained that an aircraft arrived at Pearson Monday evening and, per normal procedure, cargo was transported from the tarmac to the holding facility. Hours later, the entire container was removed, and its disappearance was reported.

"Our goal is to solve this theft," said Duivesteyn said during a press conference Thursday evening.

He noted that while he could not provide "exact details," law enforcement felt as though the theft was an "isolated incident."

"For the public worried about flying out," Duivesteyn added, "there should be no concern. We do not consider this a threat to public safety.”

As the Toronto Sun reports, it is not uncommon for Canadian gold and other valuables to be stored at Pearson before being shipped to customers around the world. Canada's largest airport handles 45 percent of the nation's air cargo traffic.

This is, by far, the largest heist in Pearson's history, however authorities are unsure who could possibly have pulled it off.

With the help of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, the Peel Regional Police Criminal Investigation Bureau's Airport Division have begun investigating all possible leads, including any potential connection to gang activity, which is prevalent in the area.