Truck driver caught hauling 6 duffle bags of cocaine across U.S.-Canada border
DETROIT – A truck driver caught with six duffle bags of cocaine before crossing the Ambassador Bridge from Detroit to Canada claims he doesn’t know how the drugs got into his rig, WDIV Local 4 reports. Jagrant Singh Gill was stopped on the Detroit side of the bridge around 6:10 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 24, the report said. He was hauling steel reels from Marion, Ind., in a soft-side covered flatbed trailer, the report said. U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials asked Gill to step out of the semi-truck for an inspection. He then drove to another city in Indiana to pick up steel reels that were bound for Canada.
mlive.comThe self-styled ‘Freedom Convoy’ rumbled up at an inopportune time for U.S.-Canada trade
"The idea that the U.S.-Canada border could be closed by a group of idiots with 30 pickup trucks is something that we’re going to have to make the case was a one-time event," one Canadian industry official said.
washingtonpost.comMichigan residents rally to show support for trucker convoy headed to Washington, D.C. in protest of Covid mandates
GENESEE COUNTY, MI – Supporters gathered on a bridge over US-23 in Mundy Township Friday afternoon to see off a trucker convoy headed to Washington, D.C. in protest of coronavirus mandates. The Ambassador Bridge carries roughly 30% of the annual trade between Michigan and Canada. About 10,000 commercial trucks and $325 million in goods cross the bridge every day, according to the Michigan Department of Treasury. “Once again, the Patriots of Genesee County are standing up and fighting for our freedom,” said Matthew Smith Jr., chairman of the county’s Republican Party, of the event. Read more on MLive:Canadian police move in to clear Ambassador Bridge blockadeCanadian judge grants injunction against protesters, signaling end of Ambassador Bridge blockadeAuto plants pause production as Ambassador Bridge blockade continuesCanadian truckers protesting vaccine rule snarl traffic at Michigan border crossings
mlive.comAutomakers lost nearly $300M in the Ambassador Bridge shutdown. Its ripple effect could be costlier.
WINDSOR, ONTARIO - For the first time in nearly a week, border officials reported “no delay” Monday as trucks and cars cruised 1.4 miles across the Ambassador Bridge into Canada. Related: Whitmer says protests like Ambassador Bridge shutdown ‘will not stand’ if economy is harmedCarrying $323 million in goods a day—roughly a quarter of the trade between the U.S. and Canada—the Ambassador Bridge is an economic lifeblood to both sides of border. Auto industry losses neared $300 million from Monday, Feb. 7 through Tuesday, Feb. 15, the Anderson Economic Group estimates, including $144.9 million in lost wages and $155 million in losses to automakers. Last year, the Cross Border Institute predicted interruptions at the Ambassador Bridge could have “huge economic implications” for trucks carrying 30% of U.S.-Canada trade. More on MLive:Canadian judge grants injunction against protesters, signaling end of Ambassador Bridge blockadeAuto plants pause production as Ambassador Bridge blockade continuesCanadian truckers protesting vaccine rule snarl traffic at Michigan border crossings
mlive.comCanada Prime Minister Justin Trudeau invokes emergency powers due to protests on Ambassador Bridge
At the Blue Water Bridge connecting Port Huron and Sarnia, truckers have been waiting for two hours to cross into Michigan for much of Monday (Feb.14).Protesters gathered there Saturday after a week that saw traffic at the bridge double because of the Ambassador Bridge closure.
Whitmer says protests like Ambassador Bridge shutdown ‘will not stand’ if economy is harmed
Gretchen Whitmer told Michigan business leaders she will protect the state’s economic interests and challenge protests that illegally disrupt the flow of goods. Anderson Economic Group estimated Michigan auto workers lost $51 million in wages due to the bridge shutdown. “I think it’s an important reminder of how important that Gordie Howe bridge is,” Whitmer said Monday. READ MORE ON MLIVE:Didn’t read Whitmer’s budget plan? 6 answers to questions about Whitmer’s $74B budget proposalPrisoner tracking, tree planting: Lesser-known programs in Whitmer’s budget planNeeded investment or a ‘spending spree?’ Lansing leaders sound off on Whitmer’s $74.1B budget proposalWhitmer’s budget plan includes bonuses for school employees, mental health support for students
mlive.comCanadian Prime Minister Trudeau Invokes Emergency Powers To Quell Protests
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau invoked emergency powers Monday to quell the protests by truck drivers and others who have paralyzed Ottawa and blocked border crossings in anger over the country’s COVID-19 restrictions.
detroit.cbslocal.comNightcam’s Tim Pamplin reflects on the week of covering Windsor blockade
I have to hand it to you, Windsor. Sure, Canada has a reputation of being friendly and welcoming. Having covered the Windsor blockade since its inception last Monday when a half dozen or so drivers took a stand on Huron Church Rd.
Ambassador Bridge ‘fully open’ after seven-day blockade choked key trade route
WINDSOR, ONTARIO – On Monday morning, traffic flowed freely across the Ambassador Bridge for the first time in nearly a week. The bridge reopened late Sunday after a seven-day trucker protest congested the vital trade route linking Michigan and Canada. The Ambassador Bridge carries roughly 30% of the annual trade between Michigan and Canada. It’s time to get traffic and trade moving across North America’s busiest land border crossing again,” said Gov. More on MLive:Canadian judge grants injunction against protesters, signaling end of Ambassador Bridge blockadeAuto plants pause production as Ambassador Bridge blockade continuesCanadian truckers protesting vaccine rule snarl traffic at Michigan border crossings
mlive.comOntario Drops COVID-19 Vaccine Proof Requirement, Protests Persist
Ontario’s premier announced Monday that Canada’s most populous province will lift its COVID-19 proof-of-vaccination requirements in two weeks — not because of the protests that have blocked the border and paralyzed Ottawa, he said, but...
detroit.cbslocal.comCanadian police move in to clear Ambassador Bridge blockade
WINDSOR, ONTARIO – Canadian police started act on a court order Saturday morning to remove protesters who have blocked the Ambassador Bridge for six days. Shortly after 8 a.m. Saturday, Windsor Police Service said they started to enforce the injunction to clear out the remaining demonstrators. “The Windsor Police & its policing partners have commenced enforcement at and near the Ambassador Bridge. Gretchen Whitmer Thursday urged Canada to “take all necessary and appropriate steps” to clear the economic blockade and offered support to Windsor police. More on MLive:Canadian judge grants injunction against protesters, signaling end of Ambassador Bridge blockadeAuto plants pause production as Ambassador Bridge blockade continuesCanadian officials seek injunction to clear Ambassador Bridge blockade
mlive.comDefiant protesters remain at key US Canada border crossing
Protesters remain at the busiest border crossing between the United States and Canada despite new warnings to end the blockade that has disrupted the flow of goods between the two countries and forced the auto industry on both sides to roll back production
washingtonpost.comCanada border blockade clearing peacefully as police move in
A tense standoff at a U.S.-Canadian border crossing crucial to both countries' economies appeared to be dissolving peacefully Saturday as Canadian police moved in to disperse the nearly weeklong blockade and protesters began leaving without resistance. Many demonstrators drove away from the Ambassador Bridge spanning the river between Detroit and Windsor, Ontario, as scores of police approached shortly after dawn. Surrounded by dozens of officers, a man with “Mandate Freedom” and “Trump 2024” spray-painted on his vehicle left as other protesters began dismantling a small tarp-covered encampment.
news.yahoo.comCanadian judge grants injunction against protesters, signaling end of Ambassador Bridge blockade
Canadian Chief Justice Geoffrey Morawetz approved an injunction against vaccine mandate protesters blocking the Ambassador Bridge border crossing, setting the stage to end a week-long disruption to the Michigan supply chain. “This gives individuals the opportunity and the time to clear the area.”Protesters have called for an end to Canadian COVID-19 vaccine mandates for the last several weeks. The protests closed the Ambassador Bridge this week, choking off an international trade route from Detroit to Windsor. Related: Auto plants pause production as Ambassador Bridge blockade continuesFriday’s ruling deals a blow to legal advocates who argued that the right to free expression was paramount. “I’ve been burning up the phone line speaking with people from the White House to the Canadian ambassador, to our congressional delegation and leadership in the Canadian government,” Whitmer said.
mlive.comLive Updates: Day 5 of US-Canada border trucker blockade; Ontario declares emergency
As demonstrations by truck drivers protesting Canada’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate stretch into its fifth day, wreaking havoc at the US-Canada border, Windsor officials are hoping a court gives them the power to physically remove protestors.
Public hearing scheduled for Gordie Howe Bridge emissions permit
The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE) is taking public comment on the bridge authority’s permit application until March 14 and has scheduled a virtual public hearing on the application for March 1 at 6 p.m. According to the application, natural gas and diesel generators would be installed at the U.S. Five natural gas boilers and one natural gas backup furnace would provide building heat. Other smaller emission sources would include natural gas emergency generators, boilers, radiant heaters, hot water heaters; and one diesel emergency fire pump engine. A map in the Bridging North America emissions permit application with Michigan EGLE shows the location of the bridge path and U.S.
mlive.comCost of Ambassador Bridge shutdown is growing for automakers, workers
Many people might not know they use the “just-in-time” production method these days, which means they have to stop building when the parts run out. That method is what’s happening, and the Anderson Economic Group is estimating $51 million in lost wages so far this week because of the blockade.
Ambassador Bridge worker alarmed by sudden closure: ‘It’s like a ghost town’
As the Ambassador Bridge closure stretches into its fourth day, workers at the bridge share their concerns over what’s happening. The emptiness of the Ambassador Bridge is startling, to say the least, as they are empty to some degree.
Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens seeks injunction to stop bridge protest, get traffic moving
The city of Windsor is in the process of going to a judge and asking for an injunction to have the provincial police move in and end the blockade; We heard from Windsor’s Mayor Drew Dilkens earlier Thursday (Feb. 10) afternoon.
Canadian officials seek injunction to clear Ambassador Bridge blockade
WINDSOR, ONTARIO – Windsor officials requested a court injunction Thursday, Feb. 10 to clear protesters blocking the Ambassador Bridge on the Canadian sign of the international crossing. Related: Auto plants pause production as Ambassador Bridge blockade continuesThe blockade has cut off traffic at the Ambassador Bridge, a key international trade route that carries $323 million in motor vehicles, auto parts, agricultural products and more every day. Ahead of requesting an injunction, Windsor received additional support from the Ontario Provincial Police and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. “We’re going to make sure we have the right number of people here to be able to enforce the injunction,” Dilkens said. Matt Moroun, who chairs the Detroit International Bridge Company which owns the Ambassador Bridge, also called on the Canadian government to step up enforcement efforts to open the critical trade route.
mlive.comLive Updates: Day 4 of trucker protests at US-Canada border; Michigan Gov. calls for end
As demonstrations by truck drivers protesting Canada’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate stretches into its fourth day, it’s disrupting Michigan’s economy, including the automotive industry, manufacturing, agriculture and more, according to the governor.
Auto plants pause production as Ambassador Bridge blockade continues
A protest blocking the busiest trade route between Michigan and Canada is disrupting production for Detroit’s big three automakers. Canadian truckers demonstrating against COVID-19 vaccine mandates have been obstructing traffic on the Ambassador Bridge since Monday. Related: Canadian trucker protest at Ambassador Bridge threatens fragile supply chainFord Motor Company reported plants in Oakville and Windsor, Ontario are running at reduced capacity Thursday. It’s key to transporting the total $12.8 billion in motor vehicles and auto parts across the border. As of Thursday, the Ambassador Bridge is open to U.S.-bound traffic but police say the “presence of demonstrators” makes it difficult for motorists to access the border crossing.
mlive.comCanadian trucker protest at Ambassador Bridge threatens fragile supply chain
WINDSOR, ONTARIO – A Canadian trucker protest blocking traffic on the Ambassador Bridge in Detroit could disrupt supply chains already battered by the pandemic. A major trade route, the Ambassador Bridge carries 40,000 commuters and $323 million in goods every day—roughly a quarter of the trade between Michigan and Canada. Related: Canadian truckers protesting vaccine rule snarl traffic at Michigan border crossingsWindsor Mayor Drew Dilkens says he respects the right to protest, but the border blockade is causing a significant economic impact on the region. Michigan Manufacturers Association President and CEO John Walsh said the Ambassador Bridge is a critical trade route for state manufacturers. He believes this is a bigger threat to the supply chain crisis than “one-off stoppages” at the border.
mlive.comFallout from shutdown of Ambassador Bridge spills onto US soil, causing concerns for businesses
The fallout from the shutdown on the Canadian side is spilling into the U.S., causing concerns for businesses and even with Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer. We’re here at the truck entrance to Canada, and the trucks are lined up, but the line went way past what we can see here in the video player above.
Canadian truckers protesting vaccine rule snarl traffic at Michigan border crossings
DETROIT – A convoy of Canadian truckers protesting an international COVID-19 vaccine are gridlocking traffic at Michigan border crossings. “We are expecting the situation to become worse before it gets better.”For the past 10 days, Canadian truckers upset with a border vaccine mandate have congested streets in Ottawa, prompting the city to declare a state of emergency. Around 3:30 p.m. Monday, Canadian Border Services warned that demonstrations were impacting wait times at the Ambassador Bridge. The “Freedom Convoy” protests started after Canada implemented a vaccine requirement for international truckers on Jan. 15. Since then, Michigan truckers have been concerned that the mandate, and an American rule that followed a week later, would worsen a truck driver shortage.
mlive.comDuty-free gas station ordered to follow Michigan clean air regulations after court ruling
LANSING, MI – A duty-free gas station next to the Ambassador Bridge in Wayne County lost its court case to avoid following Michigan’s clean air regulations, officials said. The Ammex gas station is required to follow state fuel laws because it is located in Wayne County, regardless of its status as a duty-free store, the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit ruled last week. This requirement became necessary because the air in Wayne County, among other locations, did not meet the federal ambient air quality standards. “Ammex is one of the largest gasoline stations in Detroit, and this case confirms that they must comply with Michigan’s gasoline vapor pressure regulations,” Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel said in a statement. “This is a win for the Clean Air Act and for all Michiganders.”READ MORE:
mlive.comCanadian Protesters Block Access To Ambassador Bridge As Demonstrations Against COVID-19 Measures Continue
Canadian protesters have impeded access to the busiest international crossing in North America again Tuesday as frustration over their ongoing demonstrations against COVID-19 rules continues to roil the nation.
detroit.cbslocal.comU.S. braces for more international travelers with restrictions easing starting today
The Ambassador Bridge in Detroit hasn’t seen much traffic from Canadians looking to enter for non-essential travel, but that will change on Monday when international travelers fully vaccinated against COVID-19 can enter the U.S.
Canadian border patrol seizes 18 bricks of cocaine at Ambassador Bridge
DETROIT -- Canadian border agents seized 18 bricks of suspected cocaine at the Ambassador Bridge. The Canada Border Services Agency and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police say the seizure occurred in Windsor on Aug. 29. A U.S. traveler was arrested after a search of their vehicle revealed the cocaine which weighed an estimated 40 pounds. “This seizure further demonstrates the commitment of our border services officers to protect our communities,” said Joe McMahon, District Director, Ambassador Bridge Operations, Canada Border Services Agency. “We are incredibly proud of their efforts and the work they do every day and we are thankful to have a strong partnership with the RCMP.”Federico Jimenez-Martinez, 34, of Kansas City was charged with importation of a Schedule I substance (cocaine) and possession of a Schedule I substance (cocaine) for purpose of trafficking.
mlive.com2 grenades found in vehicle caused Ambassador Bridge closure
Two dummy grenades were found in a vehicle attempting to cross the Ambassador Bridge on Monday, Oct. 4, causing the international border crossing to close to traffic for hours, police said. The inert grenades were found submerged in a white powder substance inside a vehicle around 9 a.m. Monday during a border inspection by the Canada Border Services Agency, police said. The Ambassador Bridge was closed until about 4 p.m. while law enforcement investigated the possible explosives – it was not immediately apparent that the grenades were inactive. RELATED: Ambassador Bridge partially reopened amid explosives investigationIt was eventually determined that the powder was not hazardous or explosive and that the grenades did not contain explosive components, police said. READ MORE:Suspect in fatal bonfire shooting charged with murderRollover crash sends Northern Michigan woman to hospitalMichigan high school student brought gun to school, officials say
mlive.comAmbassador Bridge partially reopened amid explosives investigation
The Ambassador Bridge partially reopened this afternoon while the investigation continues into possible explosives found in a vehicle during a border inspection, police said. Traffic can now cross the bridge from Canada to the United States with access only at Wyandotte Street West in Windsor. The international bridge was closed to all traffic for about two hours. RELATED: Ambassador Bridge closed after possible explosives found, police sayThe Canadian Border Services Agency discovered possible explosives in a vehicle that was being inspected Monday morning, Oct. 4. The agency notified Windsor Police, which began investigating and rerouted international traffic to the Blue Water Bridge and Detroit-Windsor Tunnel.
mlive.comAmbassador Bridge closed after possible explosives found, police say
The Ambassador Bridge is closed this morning after possible explosives were found nearby on the Canadian side of the international connector, police said via Twitter. The Windsor Police department is investigating the incident, which began to unfold around 10 a.m. Monday, Oct. 4, police said. The department’s explosives disposal unit is on the scene. Initially, the bridge was closed only to traffic inbound going into Canada from the Detroit, but it’s now closed in both directions, police said. Travelers can still navigate between the United States and Canada using the Blue Water Bridge and the Detroit-Windsor Tunnel.
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