Quebec man attempted to circumvent US Customs in a canoe

ALEXANDRIA, February 10, 2010 -- On February 9, Tpr. John J. Poggi III was assigned to the Norther Border Security Detail.

Tpr. Poggi stopped a Quebec plated vehicle on SR-12 in the Town of Alexandria for having a loud exhaust, following too closely and having a covered license plate.
 
During the traffic stop the driver was identified as Alain Dagenais, age 48, of Gatineau , Quebec. The front seat passenger was identified as Francois A. Michaud, age 43, also of Gatineau Quebec.
 
Interview with both subjects disclosed that Dagenais had entered the US legally via the Ogdensburg POE. Interview with Michaud disclosed that he had not entered the US legally and that he had crossed the St. Lawrence River under cover of darkness somewhere near Ogdensburg, N.Y. by canoe. Interview also disclosed that Dagenais had picked Michaud up in his vehicle after he crossed the River at an unknown location somewhere near the City of Ogdensburg.
 
Located in the vehicle was a wet suit belonging to Michaud. Both subjects were turned over to Federal ICE agents of the Alex Bay POE for Federal Prosecution.