Blockade ends at Alberta U.S. border crossing after more than two weeks

Trucks and other vehicles with horns blaring have rolled out of a southern Alberta town, ending a blockade that paralyzed a United States border crossing for more than two weeks.

Trucks and other vehicles with horns blaring have rolled out of a southern Alberta town, ending a blockade that paralyzed a United States border crossing for more than two weeks.

Protesters had been restricting access to the main Alberta border crossing in Coutts since Jan. 29 to rally against COVID-19 vaccine mandates and broader public health restrictions.

Commercial and personal vehicles left the area Tuesday, one day after RCMP arrested 13 people and seized a cache of firearms and ammunition.

"The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) is pleased to report operations have now resumed at the Coutts, Alberta port of entry," said a senior spokesperson for the CBSA in an email to CTV News.

"The CBSA thanks travellers for their patience and for helping us to minimize the impact of this border service disruption."

Mounties said an early morning raid on Monday uncovered 13 long guns, handguns, a machete, a large quantity of ammunition and body armour. Two additional weapons were seized later that day.

RCMP also said a semi truck and farm tractor attempted to ram a police cruiser on Sunday.