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U.S. Seizure of Russian-Flagged Tanker Heightens Global Tensions

The ship, currently between Iceland and the British Isles, has been accused of breaking US sanctions and shipping Iranian oil. It has historically transported Venezuelan crude oil. The United States has seized a Russian‑flagged oil tanker linked to Venezuela after a prolonged pursuit across the Atlantic, marking one of the most assertive enforcement actions under Washington’s sanctions program. The vessel, previously known as Bella‑1 and later renamed Marinera , was intercepted after evading an earlier boarding attempt near Venezuelan waters. U.S. military aircraft and naval units tracked the ship for weeks as it traveled across the Atlantic, at times shadowed by Russian naval vessels. Officials say the tanker was part of a network used to transport sanctioned Venezuelan and Russian oil. Its capture underscores Washington’s efforts to disrupt what it describes as illicit energy shipments that help sustain both governments. The operation comes at a delicate geopolitical moment, wit...
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Arrests Made in the Largest Gold Heist in Canada’s History

 


Canada police have made arrests and issued warrants for nine people in what is considered the largest gold theft in Canadian history. The audacious heist took place in April 2023 at Toronto Pearson Airport, where more than 6,500 gold bars, weighing roughly 400 kg (881 lb), were stolen from a cargo facility. Alongside the gold, the thieves made off with millions in cash, resulting in a total value of C$20 million.

The heist was executed by a well-organized group of criminals, reminiscent of a plot straight out of a Netflix series. The investigation, codenamed Project 24K, spanned a year and involved both US and Canadian law enforcement agencies. It remained largely secret until the recent announcement by the Canadian Peel Regional Police and the US Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms Bureau.

During the investigation, dozens of search warrants were executed, and numerous interviews conducted. So far, authorities have managed to recover C$90,000 worth of “pure gold”, which was fashioned into six “crudely made” bracelets. Additionally, they seized smelting pots, casts, and molds, along with C$430,000 in cash—part of the profits the suspects earned from selling the stolen gold.

The intrigue deepened when police revealed that they found 65 guns after arresting one of the suspects. These firearms were intended for import into Canada, emphasizing the connection between gold and the illicit arms trade. The heist itself occurred inside a cargo holding facility after the gold arrived on an Air Canada flight from Zurich, Switzerland. The thieves allegedly accessed the goods by presenting a fake airway bill, a document accompanying shipped items. They then used a five-tonne truck to make their getaway.

Months after the theft, Brink’s International, a US-based security company responsible for coordinating the shipment, sued Air Canada. Brink’s claimed that the airline had been reckless and failed to prevent the theft, making no effort to verify the identity of the person who made off with the cargo. According to the lawsuit, the goods were stolen just 42 minutes after being unloaded from the plane.

This daring gold heist has captivated the public’s imagination and raised questions about the intersection of wealth, crime, and international intrigue. As the investigation continues, authorities are determined to bring all those involved to justice.

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