To Music Fans in Windsor who like to take the tunnel bus to shows like St. Andrews Hall.
Current mood: 
angry
I'm from Windsor, grew up crossing the border quite regularly for shows especially through high school. Thursday September 28, 2006 I took the Windsor -Detroit tunnel bus over to Detroit for a concert at St. Andrews Hall. Going over was the simple part, coming home I had some challenges. I boarded the tunnel bus heading to Windsor with my cousin, the bus leaves Detroit with 4 passengers. Just as we pull up to the Windsor Border, we are asked to stay seated as a drug-dog comes on-board. I happen to be sitting on the outside of the bus next to the window, so I am last to get sniffed by the dog. The dog sniffs my cousin on the inside who is clean and continues to the back of the bus where a bag with 250grams of Cocaine is found as well as a positive signal on one of the gentleman. The bag was tossed so nobody is claiming it. After his find I am next to get sniffed, and the dog signals positive. My cousin clears customs and is waiting for me outside. I am taken into custody with the "guilty" gentleman. This dog obviously has the scent still on his snout. Fully co-operating with the customs officials I want to clear up this misunderstanding and go on my way. They frisk me and dump my purse and look me up on the computer. After coming up with nothing, they decide to go through with a strip-search. They throw me in a cell and read me my rights. They will perform the search with a same-sex official. At this point, I am really nervous and afraid. How could this be happening to me?? I ask to phone my father, permission is denied. They inform me the only phone call I can make is to a lawyer. I think quick and phone my aunt who is a lawyer in Windsor. Apparently this phone call is my right, but will not help me in my efforts to avoid this search. My aunt calms me down and tells me to do what they want to avoid a longer, more-painful experience. Trying to sympathize with the customs officials was useless, they didn't want to hear anything I had to say, and why was I trying to get out of the search? Was there something I was trying to hide? No nothing except my dignity. After co-operating and going through with the search they throw me in the cell once again and lock the door. They come to get me a few minutes later with a simple "sorry", "Now you're a witness can we have you phone number"? I couldn't believe how they treat innocent Canadians crossing the border. I have now learned that unless you take your own vehicle across the border you are susceptible to things out of your control.
Just before this nonesense, hanging out with my cousin Tom at Saint Andrews Hall in Detroit.
Emily
