Tim Thayer, equipped in a black bulletproof vest with a firearm at his side, smoothly engages the throttles of four 350-horsepower engines, propelling the 18,000-pound U.S. Customs and Border Protection vessel into action on the Detroit River. Thayer operates as a marine interdiction agent, part of a team responsible for patrolling the water boundaries that form the Canada-U.S. border in this region.
Assigned to the Detroit sector covering Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois, Thayer navigates the 1,388-kilometre exclusively water-based border with Canada, facing a distinctive challenge. The geographical layout places Windsor, Ont., south of Detroit, separated by the river and linked by bridges and a tunnel, witnessing approximately seven million individuals crossing annually.
During a sunny Wednesday afternoon, Thayer surveys southward towards the Windsor shoreline, vigilantly scanning for any suspicious activities. He notes the prevalent movement of people, drugs, and firearms across the U.S.-Canada border during enforcement patrols on the Detroit River.
Historically, the Windsor-Detroit corridor served as a key route for bootleggers smuggling alcohol into the U.S. during the Prohibition era of the 1920s and ’30s. While illegal operations on the Detroit River have diminished, the continuous presence of recreational boaters poses a challenge for law enforcement efforts.
U.S. President Donald Trump’s assertions about drug trafficking issues from Canada to the U.S. have faced scrutiny. 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 in the statistics.
The flow of drugs and weapons predominantly moves northward between the two countries. Statistics from 2024 reveal that 87% of guns involved in crimes in Ontario originated from the U.S., with Toronto reporting that 88% of seized firearms were illicitly brought into the country.
Despite the ongoing political tensions, U.S. border agents affirm that their collaborative relationship with Canadian counterparts remains steadfast. Tim Balkus, the patrol agent in charge of the Detroit sector, highlights the continued strong partnerships with Canadian agencies across the border.
As RCMP boats traverse the waters and the Gordie Howe bridge stands as a prominent fixture in the backdrop, Thayer acknowledges the complex dynamics symbolized by the bridge, reflecting the current state of the relationship between the two nations.