Tim Thayer, equipped in a black bulletproof vest and carrying a gun on his side, smoothly engages the throttles of four 350-horsepower engines, causing the 18,000-pound U.S. Customs and Border Protection boat to come alive on the Detroit River. Thayer, a marine interdiction agent, is part of a team that monitors the water boundaries along the Canada-U.S. border in this region. His duties are in the Detroit sector, covering Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois. This border area, spanning 1,388 kilometers, is entirely water-based, presenting a unique challenge due to the close proximity of Windsor, Ont., located south of Detroit across the river, connected by bridges and a tunnel where millions of people cross annually.
On a sunny Wednesday afternoon, Thayer scans the Windsor shoreline, vigilant for any unusual activities. “During our enforcement patrols on the Detroit River, we observe the movement of people, drugs, and firearms between the U.S. and Canada,” he explained. The Windsor-Detroit corridor historically served as a major route for smugglers transporting alcohol illegally into the U.S. during the Prohibition era. Although illicit activities on the Detroit River have diminished, the presence of numerous recreational boaters poses a challenge for law enforcement.
Kris Grogan, chief of external communications at CBP’s air and marine operations, highlights the need for intelligence and partnerships to effectively secure the area. In 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump accused Canada of inadequately preventing drugs, especially fentanyl and human traffickers, from entering the U.S., leading to the imposition of tariffs on Canadian goods. However, subsequent legal actions overturned these tariffs, revealing a more complex reality compared to Trump’s depiction of the border.
U.S. border officials in the Detroit sector seized over 4,200 kilograms of illegal drugs in 2025, including nearly 15 kilograms of fentanyl. However, the direction of drug trafficking remains undisclosed. Statistics indicate that a significant portion of guns involved in crimes in Ontario were traced back to the U.S. In terms of drug and weapons flow between the countries, the northward movement prevails, although Canada is viewed as a potential threat due to staffing and related issues.
Despite differing perceptions, U.S. border agents emphasized the ongoing collaboration with Canadian counterparts, underscoring strong partnerships across the border. As Thayer watches an RCMP boat pass by with the Gordie Howe bridge in sight, the scene symbolizes both the robust and strained relationship between the two nations today.
