Cuban National Arrested Trying to Enter Canada Illegally Across Railway Bridge in Ontario: RCMP

An image shows a man standing beside the Fort Erie International Railway Bridge, near Niagara Falls. Courtesy of the RCMP

A Cuban national who attempted to enter Canada from the United States by running across a railroad bridge near Niagara Falls was arrested last month, the RCMP said in a press release.

In mid-March, after crossing the Fort Erie International Railway Bridge, the person was stopped by members of the RCMP’s Niagara-on-the-Lake Border Integrity Unit, with assistance from the Ontario Provincial Police.

The Cuban was taken to the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) at the Peace Bridge port of entry in Fort Erie for assessment. Deemed ineligible for entry into Canada, the detainee was subsequently returned to the United States the same day, the April 3 press release said.

The Niagara-on-the-Lake RCMP, which says it maintains round-the-clock surveillance of the bridge, added that the arrest was made under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act and contributed to Ontario’s Operation Deterrence.

“This is yet another example of how our collaboration contributes to protecting the integrity of our border and the safety of our communities,” said Michael Prosia, acting regional director general of the CBSA’s Southern Ontario Region, in the release.

“The CBSA and RCMP work in close partnership to maintain the security of our borders.”

RCMP patrols are now actively being conducted along the border in this area “on the land, on the water, and in the air to disrupt cross-border criminal activity,” the press release stated.

Several other people have been arrested here recently while trying to enter Canada illegally by crossing the railway bridge, the RCMP said, noting that all were eventually sent back south of the border.

Canada announced its plan in December to invest $1.3 billion to bolster border security. The new mandate aims to stem illegal crossings and drug flows into Canada while enhancing cross-border enforcement and surveillance as well as Canada’s immigration system.

The $1.3 billion funding includes $667.5 million for the RCMP, $355.4 million for the CBSA, $180 million over six years for the Communications Security Establishment, $77.7 million for Health Canada, and $20 million over five years for Public Safety Canada.

The past few months saw enhanced efforts to tighten border security in other parts of Canada along the border.

In February, the RCMP released footage from a surveillance plane that used thermal imaging to help officers locate and arrest six individuals who had illegally crossed into Manitoba.

“The RCMP continues to see positive operational impact from new investments in law enforcement between ports of entry,” said Sgt. Lepa Jankovic, with the national police service’s Niagara-on-the-Lake Border Integrity Unit, in the April 3 news release.