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Soldiers

RCMP Alleges Terrorist Plot Involving Highly Restricted Military-Grade Equipment

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Canadian authorities arrested four men, including two active non-commissioned army officers, on alleged charges of terrorist facilitation, including the procurement of military-grade night-vision devices and laser aiming pointers. The equipment was allegedly obtained through a company run by one of the suspects, Corporal Matthew Forbes, which sells night-vision gear online. Experts say that military-grade gear is tightly controlled, and accessing it for non-governmental purposes is highly restricted.

Key Takeaways:

  • Corporal Matthew Forbes, a 33-year-old army corporal, is accused of procuring two American-made night-vision devices and a laser aiming pointer, manufactured by L3Harris Technologies.
  • The equipment includes a third-generation BNVD-Fused night-vision device, which is highly restricted and generally inaccessible to individuals.
  • Corporal Forbes is the president of Défense Tactique du Nord Inc., a company that sells night-vision equipment online and ships across Canada and internationally.
  • The company's vice-president, Julien Thibault, stated that the business operates in conformity with criminal law, the Defence Production Act, and the Controlled Goods Program.
  • Expert Dave Perry, president of the Canadian Global Affairs Institute, says that federal laws criminalize the trade of sophisticated devices to prevent civilians from gaining a tactical advantage over police.
  • The RCMP has alleged that three of the accused had been engaging in a terrorist facilitation conspiracy involving some discussion of "intending to forcibly take possession of land in the Quebec City area."

Statistics:

  • 83 firearms were seized by police between June 2021 and January 2024.
  • The alleged offences took place between June 2021 and January 2024.
  • The company Défense Tactique du Nord Inc. was registered in 2023.
  • The military-grade night-vision devices seized were thought to have been accumulated over the course of weeks, months, or even years.

Sources:

  • "Mounties in Quebec make arrests, allege terrorist plot," by Tonda MacCharles, The Globe and Mail, [undated]
  • " Quebec Superior Court ruling on illegally selling military-grade night-vision goggles" [undated]
  • "Insight Threat Intelligence" research and consulting company, run by Jessica Davis [undated]

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