Pubdate: Wed, 12 Jan 2011
Source: Grand Forks Gazette (CN BC)
Copyright: 2011 Black Press
Contact:  http://www.bclocalnews.com/kootenay_rockies/grandforksgazette/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/525
Author: Karl Yu

TEAMWORK ONE WAY OF PREVENTING SMUGGLING

The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) and RCMP confiscated 83 
kilograms of cocaine from an American couple at the Carson Port of 
Entry on Dec. 16.

The estimated value of the seized narcotics was $3.5 million.

Back in October, U.S. border patrol agents in Curlew, Wash., close to 
the Carson crossing, seized approximately 140.6 kg (310 pounds) of 
the designer drug ecstasy on a trail near the border.

The ecstasy pills were found inside backpacks and duffle bags and 
hidden in brush and at the time, U.S. border services said that there 
wasn't a clear indication where the pills were headed but based on 
the size of the stash, it was likely headed across the country.

That is two drug seizures of note in the past few months and while 
both border services on both sides of the 49th parallel should be 
commended, it begs the question: how easy is it to smuggle contraband 
and narcotics across the border?

The border is said to be largely undefended and while there have been 
the aforementioned drug busts, there is little keeping smugglers from 
finding their way either north or south of the Canadian/American border.

There aren't numbers on smugglers that successfully move drugs 
across, but it's not out of the realm of possibility that there are 
such operations taking place. Border agents, such as the ones at 
Carson, are trained to ask questions and act on suspicions but there 
are only so many crossings along the border.

While constant patrols along the border would be one way to stop the 
smuggling of drugs, it probably would cost too much and the amount of 
personnel needed for such patrols would be astronomical - it is also 
known as the world's longest shared border.

But maybe the answer lies with a stronger partnership between the 
RCMP and CBSA. Cst. Michael McLaughlin, media relations officer for 
the federal drug enforcement branch, said that there is obviously 
contraband passing through the border but he said that both the 
police and border services are trying to evolve in their 
relationship. He said the two have some major successes to show from that.

While there were reports that the CBSA Joint Forces Operations would 
be ceasing, the agency issued a release denying it on Dec. 29.

It said it valued relationships with the law enforcement community 
and said that Joint Forces Operations have been quite successful.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom