BOWMANTOWN – Federal officials say two men from Canada and the U.S. have been fined $5,000 apiece for illegally crossing the border to do some hiking.

Shelbe Benson-Fuller from U.S. Customs and Border Protection says the two met up in Maine before legally crossing the border into Canada. Then they illegally crossed the border on bicycles to reach a mountain that they wanted to hike.

A U.S. Border Patrol agent arrested them Sunday in Bowmantown, Maine.

Benson-Fuller said agents have discretion when it comes to handling hikers who accidentally cross the border. She says in this instance the men did so purposefully.

The Maine man was released on personal recognizance. The Canadian man was returned to the country via the Woburn, Quebec, port of entry.

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