U.S. Increases Drug Surveillance on Canadian Border

U.S. Increases Drug Surveillance on Canadian Border
August 24, 2004

News Summary

U.S. officials have opened the first of five air bases that will police the Canadian border for terrorists and drug runners by air and land, the Associated Press reported Aug. 21.

The Bellingham Air Marine Branch in Bellingham, Wash., will include a staff of 70, two helicopters, an airplane, and a high-speed boat.

"Smuggling is a two-way street," said Michael Milne, a spokesman for Immigration and Customs Enforcement, part of the Department of Homeland Security. "We've got cocaine and money going north, and marijuana and people coming south."

Agents will also be looking to stop British Columbian marijuana from getting into the United States.

The other four air bases will be located in Plattsburgh, N.Y.; near Detroit; Grand Forks, N.D.; and Great Falls, Mont.

The bases are similar to those established in states on the Mexican border.