What happened on the International Bridge last weekend

NEWS RELEASE

U.S. CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION

****************************** International Bridge Memorial Day weekend enforcement report

SAULT STE MARIE, MI - Memorial Day weekend was relatively quiet for the Sault Ste Marie Customs and Border Protection (CBP) field operations officers, but not uneventful.

CBP office of field operations along with the Federal Air Marshall visible intermodal prevention and response (VIPR) team performed joint enforcement operations throughout the weekend.

Officers at the land border seized 32 narcotic pills and 14 Cuban cigars during two separate incidents.

CBP office of field operations also worked in conjunction with CBP air and marine assets.

Marine interdiction agents encountered and searched a private sailing vessel.

The search yielded the discovery of two grams of marijuana and a used marijuana pipe.

Marine interdiction agents seized the contraband and drug paraphernalia.

The subject was subsequently refused entry and returned to Canada via the International Bridge.

Approximately 8,000 travelers entered the United States via the Sault Ste Marie, Michigan Port of Entry over the holiday weekend.

“The vast majority of travelers encountered by CBP at the International Bridge are law-abiding citizens who help to foster trade between the twin Saults,” said (Acting) Port Director Patrick Wilson. “Combined with the positive working relationships that we have with other Federal, State and Local law enforcement agencies they help us be efficient and effective in securing our border.”

U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s priority mission is to secure our borders, our people and our visitors from those that would do us harm, including terrorists and instruments of terror.

CBP is also charged with the facilitation of legitimate trade and travel into and out of the United States.

In this dual role, CBP enforces rules and regulations for a variety of agencies.

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