WATERWORKS IBET MARINE UNIT TACKLES THREATS ON THE OCEAN

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.