Thread by @MercedesGlobal

Tonight on @GlobalNational #Exclusive details on how Master Corporal Patrik Mathews ended up on the radar of three different national security agencies and triggered a covert military intelligence investigation to find out if he was working alone

@GlobalNational #Exclusive details on how Master Corporal Patrik Mathews ended up on the radar of the CBSA (Canada Border Services Agency), RCMP and Canadian Armed Forces #cdnnatsec #cdnpoli

@GlobalNational Sources tell Global News Patrik Mathews frequently drove across the Canada-US border. We don't know what he was doing in the US or who if anyone he was meeting. #cdnpoli #cdnnatsec

@GlobalNational Mathews was stopped by border agents on one of his frequent trips returning to Canada. #cdnpoli #cdnnatsec

@GlobalNational On a random search of his vehicle multiple sources CBSA officers found racist materials in his truck. Those materials did not reach a criminal threshold but were concerning enough to front-line officers that they reported it to the CBSA intelligence unit #cdnpoli #cdnnatsec

@GlobalNational CBSA intelligence then called the RCMP and Canadian Armed Forces to put Master Corporal Mathews on their radar. After that the military's counter intelligence until launched a covert investigation into Mathews. #cdnpoli #cdnnatsec

@GlobalNational The military investigation was to look into Mathews' potential activities and whether he was operating alone, or with a ring in Canada, or in the #CAF or with potential US connections #cdnpoli #cdnnatsec

@GlobalNational The military's counter intel unit known as CFNCIU deals with threats posed by "foreign intelligence services, individuals and groups engaged in terrorism, espionage, sabotage, subversion, or organized criminal activities that impact DND/CAF security." #cdnpoli #CAF #cdnnatsec

@GlobalNational The investigation was so sensitive only high level military officials in Ottawa knew (including the CDS), Mathews' chain of command was not told about the investigation. This is SOP and comes from fears about a leak or if there is a wider ring operating, being compromised

@GlobalNational Back to those trips to the US - last week natl security sources told @globalnews they feared Mathews had slipped across the border to the US. Now we know that's because they knew he had a history of travel there and was carrying racist materials on a border crossing #cdnnatsec

@GlobalNational @globalnews Multiple Canadian national security officials say authorities here have warned ALL relevant national and local authorities in the US Mathews could be there. Local American police forces are warning people to be extremely careful as Mathews could be armed and dangerous #cdnnatsec

@GlobalNational @globalnews Sources tell Global News RCMP did NOT return Mathews's firearms to him. They remain in police custody. They were not returned to him when he was released shortly after ERT surrounded the house he was in and arrested him on a public security warrant to seize his guns #cdnnatsec

@GlobalNational @globalnews The FBI told @globalnews they had "no comment" repeatedly when asked about whether they are investigating Mathews location, and his activities or any potential associates in the United States. The group Mathews was allegedly recruiting for is based in the USA #cdnpoli #cdnnatsec

@GlobalNational @globalnews Nutshell: racist materials found in Mathews' truck while he was crossing the border months ago triggered three agencies to flag Mathews and at least one investigation. Those frequent border crossings raised concerns he may head there when he went missing #cdnnatsec #cdnpoli #CAF