Canadian Man Furious After U.S. Coast Guard Cross 'Border' To Arrest Him
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
A Quebec man says he was wrongfully detained and humiliated by the U.S. Coast Guard after an encounter on Lake Champlain led to his boat capsizing and a brief stint in an American jail cell.
Newsweek contacted the U.S. Coast Guard and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) for comment via email on Friday.
Why It Matters
The detention of 60-year-old Edouard Lallemand has prompted outrage from him and his wife and raised questions about enforcement on shared waterways, also highlighting how routine recreational activities near international borders can escalate unexpectedly.
What to Know
Lallemand said he had borrowed a friend's boat and was fishing near Venise-en-Québec, located about 15 kilometres north of the U.S. border at the northern end of Lake Champlain, which links the U.S. and Canada, CTV News reported.
A lifelong fisherman, he insists he was within Canadian waters when U.S. Coast Guard officers approached him and instructed him to shut off his engine, which he said he did.
A United States Coast Guard logo is displayed on a rescue boat on September 28, 2024 in San Diego, California.
A United States Coast Guard logo is displayed on a rescue boat on September 28, 2024 in San Diego, California.According to Lallemand, the three officers then told him he had crossed into American waters. He denied this, saying he has fished in that area for years.
According to his account, as per CTV News, a visibly emotional Lallemand said he told the officers, "No, I'm very sorry, I'm in Canada. I'm polite enough to talk to you guys but you cannot arrest me. 'You can't come across the border and pick me up.' But they did," he said.
Lallemand said he restarted his engine and suggested continuing the conversation with the officers near the shore. However, the Coast Guard followed him and attempted to steer him into U.S. waters, which he claims led his boat to capsize.
Speaking to CTV News, he appeared to be angry and shocked about what happened, saying that he fell into the water and was "drowning" before eventually being pulled out by the officers, who he said were not taking care of him.
Quebec man warning Canadian boaters after he was detained by U.S. Coast guard, put in jail cell https://t.co/qqRGAwEuuf — CTV News (@CTVNews) July 24, 2025
"The first time I went down, coming up with water in my mouth, spitting it out, I said 'throw me a buoy!'" he said.
He was then handcuffed, processed, and turned over to U.S. Customs and Border Protection, where he says officers fingerprinted him, placed him in a jail cell while he was still soaked, and gave him what he described as a "dirty" blanket.
Lallemand is reported to have been held in a jail cell for nearly two hours before being released.
His wife, Darlene Fielding, said, as per CTV News, "we treat our pets better than they treated him," adding that upon her husband's return, he was "like a beaten man."
Customs regulations on Lake Champlain involve specific reporting requirements for boaters, especially those crossing the border, and potential enforcement actions for violations. CBP has designated reporting locations and procedures, including the possibility of phone-in reporting, to facilitate border crossings while ensuring compliance.
The Coast Guard maintains that Lallemand was approximately 65 yards inside U.S. waters and struck their vessel while attempting to flee, leading to the capsize.
What People Are Saying
The U.S. Coast Guard, in a statement to CTV News: "While the Coast Guard's 29-ft response small-boat was alongside the vessel, the operator put the vessel in motion and ignored commands to maintain course and speed for boarding purposes. The vessel then made an abrupt starboard turn and struck the port bow of the Coast Guard small-boat at coordinates 45°00.792'N, 073°10.608'W, approximately 65 yards south of the U.S./Canadian border. The collision caused the vessel to capsize, putting the operator in the water."
What Happens Next
Lallemand said he would like an apology from the U.S. Coast Guard and has warned other Canadian boaters to stay away from the border.
The U.S. Coast Guard has said that "the actions of the operator of the Canadian vessel are currently under investigation."
The incident will likely lead to calls for clearer agreements on maritime enforcement and cooperation along the U.S.-Canada border, with officials possibly looking into better GPS boundary marking and improved communication procedures to prevent future confrontations.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
25 minutes ago
- Yahoo
US citizen denies being present at the scene of 2019 Birmingham murder plot
An American woman has denied any involvement in a failed assassination plot, telling jurors she never had a gun in her possession at any time during her visit to the UK. Aimee Betro is alleged to have flown into Britain and taken part in a plot orchestrated by co-conspirators Mohammed Aslam, 56, and his son Mohammed Nabil Nazir, 31, to attack a rival family in September 2019. The 45-year-old, from West Allis in Wisconsin, told jurors on Tuesday that she did not know there had been an attempted shooting when she left the UK two days afterwards. Prosecutors allege Betro hid her identity using a niqab when she tried to shoot Sikander Ali at point blank range outside his home in Measham Grove, Yardley, Birmingham, but the gun jammed, allowing him to flee. Addressing the evidence against her in chronological order during questioning by defence barrister Paul Lewis KC, Betro claimed she was in Birmingham city centre at the time of the attempted assassination and a follow-up shooting at the intended victim's house hours later. She also maintained that a woman described as having an American accent and being small and fat, who bought a vehicle linked to the plot, was not her. During her second day of evidence to Birmingham Crown Court, Mr Lewis asked Betro: 'In effect the Crown are saying that Mr Nazir or his father got you involved in a plan to kill, and that you were the person who actually wielded the gun?' Betro answered 'it wasn't me' and added that there was no truth in the allegations made against her. Asserting that she had 'no reason or motive' to carry out the shooting and did not know the intended victim's family, Betro said she would have said no if she had been asked to take part in any plot. After viewing CCTV in court and claiming the person seen in the niqab was not her, Betro said she was in Birmingham city centre at the time of the incident. Asked where she was at the time, Betro said: 'I don't really know where but I didn't leave the centre.' At the time of the second gun-related incident, Betro said of her whereabouts: 'I was out with my friend and his friends – my friend that did work with a music streaming service. 'We just went out – just around the centre. I don't really know where we went. I don't know the names.' Betro went on to claim that she did not have possession of a gun at any time during the night of September 7 into the early hours of September 8, when three shots were fired at a house in Measham Grove after a woman arrived there in a taxi. She added that she did not have a gun in her possession at any time while in the UK, which she left via Manchester Airport two days after the attempted assassination. Betro told the jury on Monday that she flew into the country to celebrate her birthday and attend a boat party, having met Nazir on a dating app and having previously travelled to the UK to meet him. The defendant denies conspiracy to murder, possessing a self-loading pistol and a charge of fraudulently evading the prohibition on importing ammunition. The court has heard Aslam and Nazir, who were jailed last year for their part in the assassination plot, were involved in a feud with Mr Ali's father, Aslat Mahumad. Nazir and Aslam, both of Elms Avenue in Derby, had been injured during disorder at Mr Mahumad's clothing boutique in Birmingham in July 2018, jurors have been told, leading them to conspire to have someone kill him or a member of his family. The trial continues.
Yahoo
25 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Manhattan gunman was trying to target NFL but took wrong lift, says New York mayor
A gunman who killed four people in a New York office block was trying to target the NFL headquarters but took the wrong lift, the city's mayor has said. Eric Adams said it's believed he was trying to get to the NFL (National Football League) offices after shooting several people in the lobby. Shane Tamura, from Las Vegas, accidentally entered the wrong set of lifts, the mayor said. "We have reason to believe that he was focused on the NFL agency that was located in the building," Mr Adams told MSNBC. A police officer, Didarul Islam, was among those killed on Monday. The 36-year-old was married with two children and his wife was pregnant. Sky's partner network, NBC News, said a note was found in which the suspect expressed anger at his mental illness potentially being linked to him having played American football. Tamura played high school football but never played in the NFL. 's police commissioner said yesterday that the gunman had a "documented mental health history". The shooting happened at 345 Park Avenue - a skyscraper in Manhattan that also houses firms including investment company Blackstone and KPMG. Blackstone said on Tuesday "words cannot express the devastation we feel" as it confirmed a senior managing director, Wesley LePatner, had died in the shooting. "She was brilliant, passionate, warm, generous, and deeply respected within our firm and beyond. She embodied the best of Blackstone," said a statement. The firm said she was married with children. NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said in a memo to staff that one of its employees was stable in hospital after being seriously injured in the attack. CCTV captured Tamura, 27, walking towards the building carrying a rifle after getting out of a black BMW just before 6.30pm. New York police commissioner Jessica Tisch said he entered the lobby and immediately shot the police officer. "He then shoots a woman who took cover behind a pillar and proceeds through the lobby, spraying it with gunfire," she told reporters on Monday. "He makes his way to the elevator bank where he shoots a security guard who was taking cover behind a security desk." Read more from Sky News: Ms Tisch said Tamura then called for a lift which opened in the lobby. "A female exits that elevator and he allows her to walk past him unharmed," she said. "He goes up to the 33rd floor... and begins to walk the floor firing rounds as he travelled. One person was struck and killed on that floor," she continued. The gunman then fatally shot himself in the chest. Sources close to the investigation said the note found with Tamura claimed he had been suffering with CTE, a degenerative brain linked to concussion and repeated head impacts common in sports such as American football.
Business Insider
28 minutes ago
- Business Insider
Read the NFL commissioner's memo to staff after Monday's shooting at its NYC offices
National Football League Commissioner Roger Goodell sent a note to staff encouraging them to work remotely or take the day off following Monday's fatal shooting at its New York City office building. An NFL employee was seriously injured in the attack. Goodell said in the note sent Monday that the employee was in stable condition. New York City Mayor Eric Adams said Tuesday on news channel PIX11 that a note was found on the shooter saying he had CTE, a degenerative brain disease linked to repeated head trauma, and that the gunman appeared to be targeting the NFL over CTE. CTE, or chronic traumatic encephalopathy, is a contentious issue in contact sports like American football. The gunman killed four people, including an NYPD officer and an executive at asset management firm Blackstone, after entering the office building at 345 Park Avenue. KPMG also occupies the building. Police identified the gunman, who died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound, as 27-year-old Shane Tamura. Here's the memo Commissioner Goodell sent to employees: NFL Employees, As has been widely reported, a gunman committed an unspeakable act of violence in our building at 345 Park Avenue. One of our employees was seriously injured in this attack. He is currently in the hospital and in stable condition. NFL staff are at the hospital and we are supporting his family. We believe that all of our employees are otherwise safe and accounted for, and the building has nearly been cleared. We are deeply grateful to the law enforcement officers who responded to this threat quickly and decisively and to Officer Islam, who gave his life to protect others. Please continue to pay close attention to GSOC notices for all available emergency information. These communications allow us to ensure that you are safe. As you know, there are significant resources available to all employees, including grief counselors. Shortly, HR will send you more information on the available resources and how to take advantage of them. Those based in New York should work remotely tomorrow. It is understandable if you prefer to take the day off. There will be an increased security presence at 345 Park Avenue in the days and weeks to come. Every one of you is a valued member of the NFL family. We will get through this together.
