The Canadian authorities have arrested four men, including current military servicemen, on charges of hatching a plot to create an anti-government militia and take land by force in Quebec. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) announced Tuesday that the suspects had stockpiled what is believed to be the largest ever arsenal of weapons and explosives in a terrorism case in Canada.
The suspects Marc-Aurele Chabot, 24, Simon Angers-Audet, 24, and Raphael Lagace, 25 are charged with commission of terrorism offence. A fourth suspect, Matthew Forbes, 33, faced a separate charge for possessing unlawful firearms, explosives, and illegal devices.
The RCMP reported that the men were involved in paramilitary-style training, such as ambush and survival skills, and had also done scouting activity around Quebec City. Although the precise motive is unknown, authorities said that the group intended to create a militia and had plans to take over land in the area.
January 2024 searches turned up an incredible yield: 83 weapons, 16 explosives, 11,000 rounds of ammunition, and other military equipment. Photos released by police include assault rifles, tactical vests, and what appears to be recruitment ammunition for use on social media.
“This is the biggest haul of weapons and explosives ever seized in a terrorist investigation in Canada,” said Jessica Davis, a retired intelligence analyst and president of Insight Threat Intelligence. She termed the seizure one of the biggest thwarted plots among NATO nations.
Though no targets have been identified, ideologically driven violent extremism like anti-government, incel, or anti-Muslim ideologies are said to now present the most common domestic terror threat in Canada.
The suspects were to appear before court on Tuesday. The allegations remain to be tried in court.
