Pubdate: Fri, 07 Feb 2003 Source: Standard Freeholder (Cornwall, CN ON) Copyright: 2003 Osprey Media Group Inc Contact: http://www.standard-freeholder.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1169 Author: Terri Saunders IBET STIFLING BORDER SMUGGLING Local News - A team of law enforcement agents has taken a huge bite out of border smuggling over the past year. The Integrated Border Enforcement Team (IBET) of Cornwall and Massena has seized more than $7 million worth of illegal drugs and property since it was first set up in February 2002, while cracking down on people smuggling at the same time. "The number of people smuggled into the United States in our area has decreased tremendously in the past three years," said Dick Ashlaw, patrol agent in charge of border control in Massena. The team consists of representatives from more than a dozen area agencies, including the RCMP, the Cornwall Community Police Service, the Akwesasne Mohawk Police Service, the U.S. Border Patrol, New York State Police and both Canadian and American customs agencies. "The law enforcement agencies in this area gradually learned to work together and realized that team work is the key to our success," said Ashlaw. "We could not do our work without one another and our communities." Patrols are done in conjunction with U.S. authorities to maximize impact on both sides of the international border. When a smuggler is attempting to cross the border from the Canadian side, U.S. authorities are alerted immediately and are waiting for the vessel in United States waters. If the smuggler returns into Canadian waters, local team members are ready to apprehend the vessel. As a result, team members say, smugglers have absolutely nowhere to go. "The amount of seizures is an indication the team has been very, very successful," said Staff Sgt. Luc Brunet of the Cornwall police. "We participate with the team's marine unit, and we contribute our officers when they have special enforcement requirements. The team has used our K-9 unit and we have participated in intelligence surveillance." According to intelligence reports, human smuggling has diminished considerably along the St. Lawrence Valley border, team members say. Although drugs and contraband are commonly smuggled items, the illegal movement of people across the border has been a concern for the team. "The way I view it, the illegal movement of any commodity across the international border provides a training ground for those that may want to smuggle other items," said RCMP Supt. Mike McDonell, officer in charge of Cornwall detachment. The IBET is testing a new communication system which enables authorities from both countries to communicate with each other via their current radio systems. In addition, several technological tools such as sensors and tracking devices are also being used to identify smuggling activities and patterns. "Integration is a learning experience," said Sgt. Gilles Tougas, who heads up the Cornwall and Massena team, "and we are getting better at it everyday." - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Stevens