Authorities intercept U.S. fishing boats violating border ban on Detroit River

Crossing the Windsor-detroit border isn't allowed, even on the water, as a number of U.S. charter fishing boats found out last week.

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police reported that a collaborative enforcement effort involving Windsor police and the Canada Border Services Agency responded to a report of U.S. fishing boats violating the border ban on the Detroit River.

Marine units and officers were on the water during the early morning hours of April 15 due to public complaints about American vessels violating the Quarantine Act, the Customs Act, and the Reopening Ontario Act.

The units observed four U.S. fishing boats. Two of the boats fled back to U.S. waters, while the officers intercepted the remaining two vessels.

The two intercepted boats were then escorted to a nearby port of entry, where they were examined by the CBSA officers.

The boats carried a combined total of 10 people — all of whom were U.S. citizens.

The Windsor police officers issued tickets for violations of the Reopening Ontario Act, with fines totalling $8,800.

The CBSA representatives served the boat occupants a notice of direction to return to the U.S.

The RCMP said they will continue to work in collaboration with federal, provincial, and municipal partners “to secure our borders and address illegal activities.”

Like all Canada-u.s. border points, the Windsor-detroit border has been closed to non-essential travel since March 20, 2020.

Michigan owns one of the worst COVID-19 infection rates in the U.S. According to the New York Times, nine of the top 10 metropolitan areas in the U.S. for new cases are located in Michigan.