Pot times July 17, 2005
Waterworks IBET Marine Unit Tackles Threats On The Ocean
URL: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v05/n1129/a02.htmlNewshawk: Herb
Pubdate: Fri, 15 Jul 2005 WATERWORKS IBET MARINE UNIT TACKLES THREATS ON THE OCEAN
Source: Peace Arch News (CN BC)
Copyright: 2005 Peace Arch News
Contact:
editorial@peacearchnews.com
Website: http://www.peacearchnews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1333
Criminals smuggling drugs, guns, money and people across the border by land, air
and water are keeping Canadian and U.S. authorities busy.
But once largely unfettered as they skimmed the international boundary under the
dark of night, and under the radar, perpetrators are finding it increasingly
difficult to ply their illegal trades. Partnerships between the two
countries' law enforcement agencies are getting stronger.
Integrated Border Enforcement Teams have been invaluable" in tackling
cross-border crime, Pacific region IBET's Const. Dale ( Jeep ) Johnstone
said Thursday.
A lot of our investigations are joint with American. Our 'customers' are
equally valuable to both sides," Johnstone, head of the marine unit, said.
Patrolling in a Titan 249 rigid hull inflatable, the unit has intercepted
marijuana, arrested U.S.-bound smugglers, and held Canada-bound criminals for
U.S. arrest.
Regularly, It works with IBET's air and land units to cap large-scale smuggling
operations.
Drug smuggling and human smuggling are really big," Johnstone said.
( Fortunately ), there's a lot more law enforcement on the water now than there
ever was."
IBET was developed in 1996 to address cross-border crimes between B.C. and
Washington. It involves the RCMP, Canada Border Services Agency, U.S.
Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement,
and U.S. Coast Guard.
Together, they've disrupted smuggling rings, and confiscated illegal drugs,
weapons, liquor and tobacco.
Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks in New York boosted their profile and
priority.
The biggest asset of IBET is information-sharing. It's made our job
easier," IBET Const. Randall Wong said.
