Latest news with #militarygrade
Globe and Mail
10-07-2025
- Globe and Mail
Soldiers accused in extremist plot allegedly had night-vision gear prohibited for civilians
Some of the kinds of tactical gear that the RCMP alleges was in the hands of the soldiers arrested in Quebec is highly restricted and is generally inaccessible to individuals, experts say. On Tuesday, the Mounties arrested and charged four men in connection with an alleged terrorist plot. Two are active non-commissioned army officers, one is a former soldier and the fourth a former cadet instructor. According to court documents, the charges against one of the suspects, 33-year-old army Corporal Matthew Forbes, include accusations that he procured for others two American-made night-vision devices and a laser aiming pointer. All three items were manufactured by L3Harris Technologies, a Florida-based defence company. One item was identified in Cpl. Forbes's charge sheet as a third-generation BNVD-Fused night-vision device. Third-generation refers to newer, better-performing models, said Ziming Wan, an Ontario retailer of night-vision devices. 'It would be very difficult to obtain a BNVD-Fused legally in Canada, even as a current or former service member. They can only be obtained by Canadian government agencies, not individuals,' said Mr. Wan, owner of Opfor Night Solutions. Night-vision goggles and laser targeting devices are routinely bought and sold by gun enthusiasts. However, Mr. Wan said, military-grade gear is tightly controlled. He said that when he sells that type of equipment, the buyer must be a police force or government agency, not individuals, and that it involves special licensing and approvals from American authorities. National Defence to set up civilian-military panels to discipline members accused of inappropriate conduct According to corporate records, Cpl. Forbes is the president of Défense Tactique du Nord Inc., a firm registered in 2023 and using the English name Northern Tactical Defense. The company sells night-vision equipment online and ships 'across Canada and internationally,' according to its website. In a statement e-mailed to The Globe and Mail, the company's vice-president, Julien Thibault, said that it operates in conformity with criminal law, the Defence Production Act and the Controlled Goods Program, which oversees the exportation of strategic and military goods. 'At no time did the business facilitate, approve or support activities outside of its legal frame of operations,' the e-mail said. Mr. Wan said that the allegations against Cpl. Forbes and his co-accused are 'not representative of the night-vision, firearms or tactical training community at all. Night vision itself is not illegal to own.' Federal laws criminalize the trade of the more sophisticated devices so that civilians won't gain tactical advantages over police, said an expert in military procurement. 'You want to restrict who has access to things that can cause harm to people because they've been specifically designed for military purposes,' said Dave Perry, president of the Canadian Global Affairs Institute. He added that 'we have a legal regime that's been set up to put parameters and safeguards around the handling of technology to ensure that it doesn't fall into the wrong person's hands.' Military police reopen investigation into allegations of racist posts Mr. Perry pointed out that only the most sophisticated police tactical teams in Canada would have access to military-grade scopes or night-vision goggles. That's significant, he said, because the RCMP has alleged that three of the accused arrested this week had been engaging in a terrorist facilitation conspiracy involving some discussion of 'intending to forcibly take possession of land in the Quebec City area.' In a nighttime standoff, Mr. Perry said, military-grade equipment could confer an invaluable advantage in a rural area with little lighting. In 2015, two Quebec City residents, Roch Guimont and his mother, Constance, were convicted of illegally selling military-grade third-generation night-vision goggles on eBay, in violation of Canadian export rules. 'The technology for these items is very controlled since they provide a strategic edge for the American army during night operations,' a Quebec Superior Court ruling said. Jessica Davis, who runs a research and consulting company called Insight Threat Intelligence, said the number of weapons seized points to a longer-term plan. She said that depending on the origin of these items, the equipment could have been accumulated over the course of weeks, months or years. According to the charges, the offences took place between June, 2021, and January, 2024, when police seized 83 firearms. 'We know that the activity took place from at least 2021, so I would imagine some of that, that weaponry started to be acquired earlier, but it really is one of the things that's going to be so interesting to learn as this goes to trial,' Dr. Davis said. Cpl. Forbes and the three other suspects – Marc-Aurèle Chabot, Raphaël Lagacé and Simon Angers-Audet – remain in custody until their next court date, July 14. The Canadian Forces have confirmed that Cpl. Forbes is serving at CFB Valcartier, north of Quebec City. Near the base, the arrests were the talk on Tuesday for army veterans Serge Tremblay and Al Maillette as they had coffee at McDonald's. 'We are only talking about four [people],' Mr. Tremblay said. 'Are there 10, 15, 100? We don't know. If they wanted to attack something, they can't do that with four.' With reports from Claire McFarlane in Toronto
Motor 1
29-06-2025
- Automotive
- Motor 1
‘That's Actually an Upgrade From Factory:' Toyota Tech Works on RAV4. Then He Tries Twisting the Sway Bar Links
Most Toyota RAV4s are built for errands, school pickups, and the occasional gravel road. But the one in a viral TikTok looks ready to survive a war zone, thanks to sway bar links so oversized that a tech dubbed them 'military grade' with genuine awe. Creator and automotive repair technician Zoe Zpectrum (@zoezpectrum) takes us underneath the RAV4 to share his disbelief at the massive suspension upgrade in a clip that's been viewed more than 486,000 times. 'I can't even twist them. … They like military grade,' he says. Sway bar links, also known as end links or stabilizer bar links, attach the sway bar—or anti-roll bar—to a vehicle's suspension components. The sway bar itself is a torsion spring stretching across your car's underside, connecting opposite wheels to counter body roll during turns. When a vehicle corners, the sway bar twists, redistributing force from one side to the other and helping to keep the cabin level and controlled. The links transmit that twisting force by bridging the gap between the bar and control arms or struts. Now, enter the aftermarket world. These beefed-up versions boast stronger shafts, tougher bushings, and corrosion-resistant coatings. These are key upgrades for vehicles tackling rough terrain, lifted setups, or high-performance handling conditions. Where factory links are designed for standard daily drives, these are built for abuse. The Fun of 'Overkill' Mods There's good reason to question just how much sway bar beef a RAV4 really needs. Most of these SUVs aren't seeing rock crawls or Baja rallies. But the spectacle lies in that absurd contrast—suburban sleigh meets tactical tank parts. And on social platforms like TikTok, nothing ignites engagement faster than that 'wait, what?' moment when a routine oil change turns into a jaw-dropping underbody inspection. The sway bar links seen in the video are likely aftermarket heavy-duty units designed for lifted or off-road-ready vehicles. A set of performance or adjustable sway bar links typically costs anywhere from: $100–$300 for a quality set of links (e.g., from brands like Whiteline, Moog HD, SuperPro, or JBA Offroad). $50–$200+ for professional installation, depending on labor rates and local shop pricing. If the owner upgraded the sway bars and the links (common in performance setups), the full sway bar system upgrade could push costs to $500–$1,000+, depending on the brand, vehicle fitment, and whether front and rear bars are replaced. And if the RAV4 is lifted, which would explain the need for longer, beefier links, it's possible we're looking at a more involved suspension mod that includes: Lift kit: $1,000–$2,500. Alignment and recalibration: $150–$300. So, while the links themselves aren't a bank-breaker, they're often just one part of a larger build. Could These Mods Backfire? For the gearheads who want more than flash, a serious question looms: Can overbuilt sway bar links actually hurt handling ? The short answer is yes. Swapping in stiffer or longer links without adjusting the rest of the suspension can throw off the car's balance. Improperly sized aftermarket sway bars and linkages can induce extreme oversteer or understeer and degrade the car's handling. Over-stiff sway bars may compromise independent wheel movement, roughening ride quality on uneven roads and reducing grip. Motor1 reached out to Zoe via direct message. Now Trending 'I'm On My 4th Exchange:' AutoZone Worker Says Duralast Brake Pads Come With a Lifetime Warranty. But Here's How to Get It 'Saves Your Starter:' Ram Driver Says Turn Off Your A/C When You Turn Off Your Car. Does It Matter? Get the best news, reviews, columns, and more delivered straight to your inbox, daily. back Sign up For more information, read our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use . Share this Story Facebook X LinkedIn Flipboard Reddit WhatsApp E-Mail Got a tip for us? Email: tips@ Join the conversation ( )
Yahoo
04-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Vehicle burglary case leads to massive cache of weapons, rocket propelled grenade launcher, explosive device
A vehicle burglary in the high desert community of Barstow led to a major bust of weapons, assault rifles, and even a military-grade explosive device 90 miles away in San Dimas. The Barstow Police Department said the investigation into a vehicle burglary and personal property theft on May 25 led them to San Dimas and the 500 block of Valley Center Avenue. They served a search warrant at the property and discovered a massive cache of weapons inside. Among the items confiscated: 51 firearms, including several unregistered assault rifles A military-grade explosive device A rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) launcher Detectives say they recovered the victim's stolen property from the vehicle burglary, which was valued at $10,000, and then discovered the cache of weapons. As a result of the investigation, Craig Karim Ramazan, 49, of San Dimas, was arrested and booked at the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department's West Valley Detention Center on charges of possession of stolen property, possession of an assault rifle and possession of a destructive device. Police say the case remains an active investigation. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Barstow Police Department. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
