U.S. ADDS MUSCLE TO BORDER SECURITY

A new air and marine branch south of the border will do more than
protect American citizens from terrorism and smugglers.

Gary Bracken, with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's Air and
Marine Operations, said beefing up enforcement in the air, on land and
sea will enhance safety for Canadians.

"Illegal activity goes both ways," Bracken said.

Security afforded Americans by the new facility "reaches across to
provide an additional level of security for Canadian citizens."
"Illegal activity in either direction is stopped."

The $85 million Air and Marine Branch opened Friday with 15 part-time
staff, a fixed-wing surveillance plane, and a boat. When it's fully
operational, in a year, it'll have more than 50 full-time officers,
two helicopters, and at least one high-speed boat.

The crafts themselves won't be armed, but officers on board will be.

The Bellingham AMB is the first of five opening along the American
border with Canada-once considered the longest undefended border in
the world. An office in Plattsburgh, N.Y., is next in October,
followed by sites in Montana, North Dakota and Michigan over the next
three years.

Bracken said the Bellingham AMB can respond within an hour to
situations within a 410-km radius.

Surveillance and enforcement will stretch east and west along the
border, but will not cross into Canada without permission.

Bracken acknowledged existing security-U.S. Border Patrol and
Integrated Border Enforcement Team-already conduct air, land and sea
enforcement. AMB "brings a different capability and a different
mission set," he said.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Air and Marine Operations
provides airspace security for major U.S. events, including the Super
Bowl. AMBs supply marine and air patrols to support Homeland Security,
and assist in FBI and Secret Service counter-terrorism operations.

Bracken said the air and marine branch is a long-term move,
solidifying operations that have been in place temporarily.

Aside from a short operation marking the launch yesterday, Bracken
doubts Canadians will notice a visible change.

Police here say it's too soon to know what impact, if any, the branch
will have on security.

White Rock RCMP Staff Sgt. Tom Forster did say the countries have
co-operated on many enforcement initiatives. The Americans' assistance
during the Aug. 11 Wings Over White Rock fundraiser was appreciated,
he said.

Given the money to be made in smuggling-Wednesday, U.S. authorities
intercepted $2.6 million worth of drugs from a vehicle near Sumas
border crossing-he said he can see why additional resources stateside
might lend further advantage.