1.9 million in gold still missing Canada

TORONTO — Two suspects are in custody and one gold bar has been recovered but police in Toronto are still searching for 95 other gold bars allegedly bought in Montreal with a fraudulently obtained bank draft worth $1,895,751.

Two people have been detained for trying to sell some of the bars in Toronto, but so far police have only recovered one 300-gram bar. Seventy-four others — from Australia's Perth Mint, with the mint's symbol on one side and a kangaroo on the other — are still missing. Police are also looking for nineteen one-kilogram gold bars and two 100-gram bars.

Police are still seeking the identity of the person or persons who obtained the bank draft.

"We're barking up a few trees; it's an ongoing investigation" said Det. Ruth Moran of the Financial Crimes Unit on Wednesday.

Const. Tony Vella of the Toronto Police asked the public to come forward with any information regarding the incident, and warned jewelry and metal businesses to be on the lookout for the bars.

The first suspect was arrested on Feb. 14 when he tried to sell a bar to a Toronto gold company, said Vella. Two days later, the gold bar was recovered when officers caught a second man allegedly attempting to sell it.

Toronto residents Thevarajah Thambipillai, 55, and Senthuran Kanapathipillai, 32, are charged with possession of property obtained by crime.

The Canadian Bankers Association is offering a reward of up to $50,000 for information that leads to the recovery of the bars.