In a case that has stunned Canadian law enforcement and military circles, four men from Quebec — including active members of the Canadian Armed Forces — have been arrested for allegedly plotting to form an anti-government militia and forcibly seize land in the Quebec City area.

According to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), the men were involved in “ideologically motivated violent extremism” and had advanced far enough in their preparations to warrant immediate arrests. The operation, led by the RCMP’s Integrated National Security Enforcement Team (INSET), followed a multi-year investigation that authorities say uncovered a coordinated plan for violent insurrection.

The three primary suspects — Marc-Aurèle Chabot, 24, of Quebec City; Simon Angers-Audet, 24, of Neuville; and Raphaël Lagacé, 25, also of Quebec City — are accused of knowingly facilitating terrorist activity between 2021 and 2024. Police say the men participated in military-style training exercises that included ambush drills, survival techniques, shooting practice, and reconnaissance missions. These were allegedly conducted in multiple locations across Quebec and Ontario, including Montreal, Petawawa, and Rolphton.

The suspects are said to have stockpiled a significant cache of firearms, tactical gear, and restricted military equipment. Chabot faces multiple weapons-related charges, including possession of prohibited firearms, military-grade smoke grenades, and a laser sighting device with an erased serial number. Lagacé is charged with the careless storage of dozens of firearms, unlawful possession of high-capacity magazines, and unauthorized use of night vision goggles and other military equipment.

A fourth man, Matthew Forbes, 33, of Pont-Rouge, was also arrested and charged with weapons offenses after authorities searched properties in the Quebec City area earlier this year. Those searches yielded an arsenal that included 83 firearms, 16 explosive devices, approximately 11,000 rounds of ammunition, and various pieces of military-grade equipment.

“The fact that we could charge them with facilitating a terrorist activity means they were taking concrete steps to carry out their plan,” said Staff Sgt. Camille Habel of the RCMP’s national security unit in Quebec. “This wasn’t just talk. They were preparing to act — and that made the threat very real.”

Habel added that while it remains unclear what the group’s exact timeline or endgame was, their intent to “seize property” was enough to justify swift intervention in the name of public safety. The investigation was carried out in coordination with the Canadian Armed Forces, Sûreté du Québec (SQ), and Quebec City police (SPVQ).

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)