U.S. BORDER SURVEILLANCE TO GET AIR, MARINE BOOST

VICTORIA -- The United States is stepping up surveillance along the
border with Canada, starting with a high-tech unit that will begin
operations in Bellingham, Wash., just across the border from the
Vancouver area.

"It is the first of five such border units that will be established
from Bellingham over to Plattsburg, N.Y.," said Gary Bracken, of the
Office of Air and Marine Operations.

The new Bellingham unit will operate a fixed-wing surveillance plane,
a medium-lift helicopter, a so-called light-enforcement helicopter and
at least one high-speed enforcement boat.

Mr. Bracken said that thwarting the smuggling of marijuana is a prime
consideration for establishing the first unit in the Pacific
Northwest. But he said there are also possible threats.