Clad in protective gear and armed, Tim Thayer operates the powerful engines of a U.S. Customs and Border Protection boat on the Detroit River. As a marine interdiction agent, he patrols the Canada-U.S. border in the region, focusing on the Detroit sector covering Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois. This area presents a unique challenge as the entire 1,388-kilometer border between Canada and the U.S. is comprised of waterways.
The proximity of Windsor, Ont., south of Detroit across the river, connected by bridges and a tunnel with millions of people crossing annually, adds to the complexity of monitoring the area. Thayer keeps a watchful eye on the Windsor shoreline during his patrols, looking for any suspicious activities involving the trafficking of people, drugs, and firearms between the two countries.
While the Detroit River was a popular smuggling route during the Prohibition era, today, the presence of numerous recreational boaters poses a challenge for law enforcement agencies. Intelligence gathering and partnerships are crucial for securing the region effectively, as highlighted by Kris Grogan, chief of external communications at CBP’s air and marine operations.
In 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump raised concerns about drug and human trafficking from Canada into the U.S., leading to the imposition of tariffs that were later overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court. Despite Trump’s assertions of a porous border, border officials in the Detroit sector seized a substantial amount of illegal drugs, including fentanyl, hinting at the ongoing challenges faced by law enforcement.
The flow of drugs and weapons across the border remains a significant issue, with a notable percentage of crime guns in Ontario traced back to the U.S. According to experts, addressing these challenges requires enhanced border security measures and investments in training and equipment for officers on both sides of the border.
Amid political tensions, U.S. border agents emphasized the importance of their collaborative efforts with Canadian counterparts. The strong and strained relationship between the two countries is symbolized by the Gordie Howe bridge, reflecting the ongoing complexities in border management and cooperation.