Four individuals, among them two current members of the Canadian Armed Forces, have been apprehended regarding an extremist scheme to forcefully seize land in Quebec.

Marc-Aurèle Chabot, Raphael Lagacé, and Simon Angers-Audet stand accused of supporting terrorist efforts and attempting to ‘establish an anti-government militia’.

The trio, who police say ‘took concrete actions to facilitate terrorist activity’, were arrested early on Tuesday in Quebec City.

They allegedly took part in military-style training and conducted a scouting operation, court documents reveal.

A variety of firearms, some prohibited, as well as high-capacity magazines and tactical equipment were allegedly used in these activities. 

Chabot, aged 24, serves at a Canadian Forces base in Saint-Gabriel-de-Valcartier, while Lagacé, 25, previously acted as a civilian instructor for the Royal Canadian Air Cadets.

Angers-Audet, 24, is also a former military member. 

The three are also facing additional charges relating to the alleged illegal storage of firearms, and possession of explosives and prohibited devices.

Police said that a fourth suspect, Matthew Forbes, 33, has been charged with possessing firearms, prohibited devices and explosives, among other offenses.

Firearms seized in January 2024 during a national security investigation by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police into active members of the Canadian Armed Forces are displayed at a police facility in Quebec, Canada

Firearms training is conducted, as seen in an undated still image from video, part of evidence provided by a national security investigation by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police into active members of the Canadian Armed Forces in Quebec

The alleged acts took place between June 2021 and January 2024 in Quebec City and Montreal in Quebec; in Rolphton and Petawawa in Ontario; as well as elsewhere in Quebec, Ontario and Canada.

‘The three accused were planning to create anti-government militia,’ the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) said in a statement.

‘To achieve this, they took part in military-style training, as well as shooting, ambush, survival and navigation exercises. They also conducted a scouting operation.’

Police said that the investigation began in March 2023. Searches conducted in January 2024 in Quebec City led to the seizure of 16 explosive devices, about 11,000 rounds of ammunition and other weapons.

Court documents say the suspects had in their possession weapons including grenades, night-vision goggles, high-capacity magazines, and improperly stored firearms. 

Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) Cpl. Erique Gasse described the case as ‘ideologically motivated violent extremism.’

The suspects wanted to start an anti-government ‘community’ north of Quebec City, and allegedly used a private Instagram account to recruit members and supporters.

Firearms seized in January 2024 during a national security investigation by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police into active members of the Canadian Armed Forces are displayed at a police facility in Quebec

The suspects wanted to start an anti-government ‘community’ north of Quebec City, and allegedly used a private Instagram account to recruit members and supporters. RCMP distributed a photo from that Instagram account showing seven people in military-style uniforms brandishing firearms

RCMP distributed a photo from that Instagram account showing seven people in military-style uniforms brandishing firearms. Gasse didn’t say who was pictured.

‘We know there were followers on that site,’ he said. ‘They were trying to recruit people who had knowledge about guns, and they were telling people where they were training in Quebec or in Ontario.’

When asked about the possibility of more arrests, Gasse said the investigation of the four suspects was complete, but new inquiries could begin if more evidence comes to light.

The suspects were arrested early Tuesday at their respective homes.

Officers wearing tactical gear set off smoke grenades at the residences before entering the homes, one of Forbes’ neighbors told The Globe & Mail.

The front door at Chabot’s home was reportedly smashed at the handle, suggesting that police forcibly entered the property. 

The Department of National Defence, in an email to The Canadian Press, stated the military is ‘taking these allegations very seriously and has fully participated in the investigation led by the RCMP’.