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Federal police had put the trio under video surveillance and somehow accessed encrypted chat rooms used by the group, a criminal complaint filed in a Maryland court stated.

The FBI charged Mathews, 27, with various offences, including being an “alien” in possession of firearms and transporting guns and ammunition with intent to commit a serious crime. The others were charged with weapons offences and harbouring an alien.

The Base has made a name for itself with a series of propaganda videos and rapid growth over the last two years. But the apprehension of members accused of making actual preparations for violence is a turning point, said Josh Lipowsky, senior researcher with the New York-based Counter Extremism Project.

“This raises the profile of The Base and establishes its credibility as a threat that we are addressing,” he said. “It recognizes that The Base needs to be confronted.”

The arrests also came just a few days before a planned pro-gun rally in Richmond, Va., where the governor declared a state of emergency amid fears the demonstration could spawn white-supremacist violence.

It recognizes that The Base needs to be confronted

Though not mentioned in the criminal complaint, the New York Times quoted unnamed government officials as saying the arrested men had discussed attending the event.

“It’s hard to miss the timing,” said Evan Balgord, executive director of the Canadian Anti-Hate Network. “Several militia and neo-Nazi groups are going to the gun rally. The would-be terrorists among them are likely thinking the faceoff between these militias and government is a golden opportunity to start their race war, or at least a shootout.”