Local authorities speak out over recent smuggling on Detroit River
When a smuggling operation across the Detroit River was uncovered by federal prosecutors in the U.S. last week, it prompted questions about the nature of the activity along the Canadian shoreline.
“If you live on the water you [kind of] know what's out of place,” said OPP Const. Steven Duguay.
An American fisherman knew what felt out of place in April of last year before he flagged a border patrol agent in Detroit after he witnessed suspicious activity at a dock.
He said a fishing charter dropped off six people at the dock but there was no signs of any fishing gear.
“If that fisherman had not done that these people probably would never have been caught,” remarked Peter Berry, harbour master for the Windsor Essex Port Authority.
Thanks to that tip, a smuggling operation involving the ferrying of people across the Detroit River from Windsor to Detroit was busted. A federal prosecutor in the U.S. said a mansion on Riverside Drive was involved.
“Moving people illegally back and forth has been something going on around here for centuries,” said Berry.
The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) declined an interview regarding smuggling between the borders. In a statement, the Windsor Police Service said the case is a federal investigation and are therefore are unable to comment on it. However, they are aware of suspicious activity on the Detroit River — and so are the OPP.
“We live in an area surrounded by water. We have a bridge crossing, tunnel crossing. There's other ways, there's opportunities,” said Duguay.
The port authority said they’ve monitored an uptick in activity.
“With the electronics we do have which is cameras on the river and radar we're able to watch. I'm sitting in my office and I'll look up and see a straight line from the United States to Canada,” said Berry.
A phone call is then made to ensure the proper authority handles those involved.
“We have to work with agencies like [the] CBSA so that if we do encounter migrants or we encounter smuggling of people that [the] CBSA is able to come to the waterfront,” he explained.
Berry feels his job is more than just ensuring the safe passage of boats and ships in the port, and said, “As we see that uptick we have to be more vigilant.”
Duguay encourages the public to do what the fisherman did.
“If you see anything along our shorelines through our marinas, suspicious activity on the water, give us a call,” he said. “We'll take a look at it. If you don't want to call us and stay anonymous [and] call Crime Stoppers.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
LIVE B.C. seeks ban on using drugs in 'all public spaces,' shifting approach to decriminalization
The B.C. government is moving to have drug use banned in 'all public spaces,' marking a major shift in the province's approach to decriminalization.
Air traveller complaints to Canadian Transportation Agency hit new high
The Canadian Transportation Agency has hit a record high of more than 71,000 complaints in a backlog. The quasi-judicial regulator and tribunal tasked with settling disputes between customers and the airlines says the backlog is growing because the number of incoming complaints keeps increasing.
Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
More than 115 cases of eye damage reported in Ontario after solar eclipse
More than 115 people who viewed the solar eclipse in Ontario earlier this month experienced eye damage after the event, according to eye doctors in the province.
U.S. flight attendant indicted in attempt to record teen girl in airplane bathroom
An American Airlines flight attendant was indicted Thursday after authorities said he tried to secretly record video of a 14-year-old girl using an airplane bathroom last September.
76ers All-Star centre Joel Embiid says he has Bell's palsy
Philadelphia 76ers All-Star centre Joel Embiid has been diagnosed with Bell’s palsy, a form of facial paralysis he says has affected him since before the play-in tournament.
AFN chief says Air Canada offered a 15% discount after her headdress was mishandled
After the Assembly of First Nations' national chief complained to Air Canada about how staffers treated her and her ceremonial headdress on a flight this week, she says the airline responded by offering a 15 per cent discount on her next flight.
Trump's lawyers try to discredit testimony of prosecution's first witness in hush money trial
Donald Trump's defence team attacked the credibility Friday of the prosecution's first witness in his hush money case, seeking to discredit testimony detailing a scheme between Trump and a tabloid to bury negative stories to protect the Republican's 2016 presidential campaign.