Four people, including some active members of the military, are facing charges for creating a terrorist group that plotted “ideologically motivated violent extremism.”
The RCMP says the group had plans to forcefully take over land north of Québec City and use it to build up an anti-government militia.
Three people, two aged 25 and 25 from Québec City, along with a 24-year-old from Neuville, allegedly “took concrete actions to facilitate terrorist activity,” according to a news release from RCMP.
To achieve their goal, they took part in military-style training in both Québec and Ontario, along with shooting, ambush, survival, and navigation exercises. They also conducted a scouting operation, but the police do not say where.
This photo shows an example of one of the assault rifles seized by police when they searched a location near Québec City in January, 2024, as part of the investigation into the terrorist group. (Québec RCMP)
They allegedly used several firearms for their training, including some banned weapons, and high-capacity magazines and tactical gear.
The fourth person charged, a 33-year-old from Pont-Rouge, faces charges for possessing guns, banned devices and explosives, and several “controlled items,” as well as transferring guns and ammo, and carelessly storing guns, police say.
Police released a photo of an Instagram account allegedly created by one of the accused. (Québec RCMP)
One of the accused was allegedly using an Instagram account to promote the group and recruit new members. Several photos show more than four people were involved, but a spokesperson from the eastern federal office of the RCMP would not say whether or not more people will be charged in relation to the terrorist group.
The account was private, and the spokesperson said the police are trying to shut it down as soon as possible.
The investigation started in March of 2023, after the Integrated National Security Enforcement Team (INSET) got a tip.
Police searched a spot in the area of Québec City in January, 2024, and found:
- 16 explosives
- 83 firearms and accessories
- about 11,000 bullets of various calibres
- nearly 130 bullet magazines
- four pairs of night vision goggles
- military equipment
The four people charged will appear in court Tuesday at the Québec City courthouse.
Police released a photo of some of the military equipment used by the militia. (Québec RCMP)
