BORDER BUSINESS

Your article about smuggling marijuana from Canada into the U.S. [Aug.
23] did not fairly describe how diligently Canada addresses the
problems of illicit drugs. We take the issue of drug trafficking in
both directions across our shared border very seriously. The
cooperation between our governments and law-enforcement agencies is a
model for the international community. In recent months, binational
law-enforcement teams have successfully dismantled numerous criminal
drug networks. The increase in marijuana seizures is a reflection of
greater law enforcement along the border. Canada and the U.S. have
expanded intelligence sharing. Still, only 2% of the total marijuana
that the U.S. seizes at all its borders is produced in Canada, which
has the same objectives as the U.S.: to reduce the supply and
consumption of illicit drugs and the harm they cause society.

Bernard Etzinger,

Spokesperson

Canadian Embassy

Washington