A suspicious package forced the closure of the Lacolle border crossing in Montérégie in both directions on Thursday evening. However, it was a false alarm, the authorities confirmed at the end of the evening.
The authorities feared the presence of explosives and therefore set up a large security perimeter. At around 6:30 p.m., the border protection agency had asked the Sûreté du Québec for help in connection with a suspicious package.
“The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) can confirm that a law enforcement operation is underway at the Saint-Bernard-de-Lacolle border crossing, Route 15. We actively work with our partners in the USCBP and the Sureté du Québec. said Maria Ladouceur, spokeswoman for the CBSA, in an email to the QMI agency.
“The health and safety of the public and our officers is of the utmost importance to the CBSA,” she added.
Thierry Laforce / QMI Agency
Shortly after 10:30 p.m., the SQ confirmed that there was ultimately no danger to the population.
“After the checks by the explosives technicians of the SQ, we can confirm that the suspicious object does not pose any danger. The rest of the file is being followed up by the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA),” SQ spokesman Stéphane Tremblay said in a message sent to the media.
Thierry Laforce / QMI Agency
The latter also indicated that the CBSA would arrange for customs to reopen soon.