Tim Thayer, equipped in a black bulletproof vest and armed at the hip, smoothly engages the throttles of four 350-horsepower engines, igniting the 18,000-pound U.S. Customs and Border Protection vessel on the Detroit River. Thayer, a marine interdiction agent, is part of a team that monitors the water boundaries of the Canada-U.S. border in this region.
His duty station is in the Detroit sector, covering Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois. The border between the U.S. and Canada in this area spans 1,388 kilometers of water, presenting a distinct challenge. A unique aspect of the geographical setup is that Windsor, Ont., sits south of Detroit, separated by the river and linked by two bridges and a tunnel, facilitating around seven million crossings annually.
During a warm afternoon, Thayer scans the Windsor shoreline, vigilant for any suspicious activity. He notes the ongoing movement of people, drugs, and firearms between the two countries during enforcement patrols on the Detroit River. Historically, the Windsor-Detroit corridor was a popular route for bootleggers smuggling alcohol into the U.S. during the Prohibition era.
While illegal activities on the Detroit River have diminished compared to the past, the presence of numerous recreational boaters poses a challenge for law enforcement. Intelligence gathering and partnerships are crucial for securing the area effectively, as emphasized by Kris Grogan, CBP’s chief of external communications for air and marine operations.
In recent years, U.S. President Donald Trump accused Canada of failing to curb drug trafficking, particularly of substances like fentanyl and human traffickers crossing into the U.S. However, the situation at the border is more intricate than portrayed, as evidenced by the U.S. Supreme Court overturning the imposed tariffs in February.
Statistics from CBP for the Detroit sector in 2025 revealed seizures of over 4,200 kilograms of illegal drugs, including nearly 15 kilograms of fentanyl. Notably, the flow of drugs and weapons is predominantly northward, with a significant number of guns recovered in Ontario traced back to the U.S. The issue of cross-border trafficking requires a comprehensive approach, including enhanced staffing and training for border security personnel.
Despite political tensions, U.S. border agents affirm that their collaboration with Canadian counterparts remains strong and consistent. The bond between the two countries, exemplified by the Gordie Howe bridge, reflects both the resilience and challenges in the current bilateral relationship.